308 



BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



The dugong is peculiar to the countries adjacent to the 

 Indian Ocean. The tail is shaped like that of the whale ; 

 the fore-limbs are short ; the muzzle protected by numer- 

 ous stiff bristles. They attain a length of twenty-five feet, 



FlG. 333. A, skull of female dugong ; the colossal tusks in the upper jaw 

 never pierce the thick, fleshy lip, although they continue to grow with 

 the jaw. a, the root of the tusk ; , the point. B, adult dugong, show- 

 ing whale-like tail. 



and congregate in herds near the mouths of rivers, brows- 

 ing upon the aquatic vegetation. The tusks of the female 

 are completely incased in the upper jaw (Fig. 333). 

 VALUE. Hide, oil, and bones. 



