THE DUGONG. 



549 



The DUGONG may easily be distinguished from the manatee by the formation of the 

 tail, which in the latter animal is rounded, but in the former is forked. These animals 

 'are found on the eastern coast of Africa and on the shores of the Indian Ocean. 



In Ceylon the Dugong is exceedingly plentiful, and it also inhabits the northern 

 coasts of Australia, where it is assiduously chased by the natives. The name of Sirenia, 

 which is given to this group of animals, is chiefly owing to the peculiar form and habits 

 of the Dugong, which has a curious custom of swimming with its head and neck above 

 the surface of the water, so that it bears some grotesque resemblance to the human form, 

 and might have given rise to the poetical tales of mermaids and sirens which have 

 prevailed in the literature of all ages and countries. When the female Dugong is nurs- 

 ing her child, she carries it in one arm, and takes care to keep the head of her offspring, 

 as well as her own, above the surface of the water, and thus presents a strangely human 

 aspect. If alarmed, she immediately dives below the waves, and flinging her fish-like 



KM 



v* ^ 



DUGONG. Hallcore Dugong. 



tail into the air, corresponds in no inadequate degree with the popular notions of 

 mermaid form. 



The usual haunts of the Dugong are at the mouth of rivers or similar spots, where the 

 subaqueous algae grow in greatest profusion, and it never seems to be found where 

 water is more than three or four fathoms in depth. It is not so good a diver as the seals, 

 not being furnished with the peculiar blood-reservoirs which enable those animals to 

 survive beneath the water for so great a length of time ; and it is therefore unable to 

 seek its food except in shallow waters. Whole herds of these animals may be seen 

 sporting near the shores, diving at intervals to procure food, and rising again in order 

 to breathe. They are most affectionate creatures, and if one of a pair be captured, the 

 other falls an easy prey to the pursuers, as it refuses to leave the fatal spot, and will 

 rather suffer itself to be killed than forsake even the dead body of its late partner. 



There are several species of Dugong, which are all very similar in habits, although 

 they vary in size. One species has been known to attain to the length of twenty-six feet. 



