122 NTEW-yORK FAUNA. 



Color. Varying with age and season. Young, brownish above, with a tinge of reddish 

 beneath. Adults, in the summer, in a smooth coat of greyish brown, becoming rougher and 

 whiter in winter. Beneath, the tluroat, belly and insides white at all seasons. 



It is with much hesitation that I include this animal in the Fauna of our State ; but the 

 representations of hunters lead me to suspect, that when the yet unexplored parts of the 

 State have been more thoroughly examined, its existence may be disclosed. Pennant, in his 

 time, asserted that the Rein-deer was not found farther south than the most northern part of 

 Canada. Charlevoix, however, saw one killed at Quebec. The specimen in the cabinet of 

 the Medical College at Albany came from Nova-Scotia ; and Harlan asserts that it does not 

 pass the State of Maine into the United States, implying its existence there. Prof. Emmons 

 observes, " It is only a few years since this animal appeared in the northern parts of Vermont 

 " and New-Hampshire ; from which it is not unreasonable to infer, that in earlier times it may 

 " have passed still farther south." Its gregarious habits and unsuspicious character would 

 seem to ensure its speedy destruction, when placed within the reach of man. 



ORDER VII. CETACEA. 



Body shaped like a fish. Fore feet two, in the shape of fins. In place of hind, feet, there 

 is a broad horizontal fin. Ears consist of a minute exterior opening. Without hair, or a 

 few scattering ones only. Live exclusively in the water, only coming out to breathe. 

 Gregarious. 



This order comprises whales, porpoises and dolphins, generally considered by uninstructed 

 observers as fishes. It is divided by Cuvier into two great sections, the Herbivorous and 

 Piscivorous. In the first we find the 



FAMILY I. MANATID^. 



With two kinds of teeth in the young. Molars with flat crowns. Nostrils placed near the 

 end of the muzzle, in the skin. Long whiskers. Teats pectoral. No spiracle. Scatter- 

 ing short hairs over the body. 



Obs. This family comprises about five living species, one of which is found near our shores, 

 but none within the limits of this State. 



