DE. J. MUEIE ON THE HIANATEE. 21 



According to the dissection made by Prof. E. Eay Lankester, under Prof. Garrod's 

 supervision, my statement {I. c.) as to the number and arrangement of the cervical 

 nerves is not confirmed ; and the further evidence of Prof. Edouard Van Beneden, of 

 Liege, who dissected a Manatee in Brazil, is cited against my reading of the number 

 and distribution of the cervical nerves present. 



Some of my former observations being thus questioned by such competent autho- 

 rities as the above-named gentlemen, I naturally felt I should like to have another 

 opportunity of investigating the disputed points. In this way I might be able to 

 ascertain whether variations would explain the discrepancies of statement, while I 

 should also satisfy myself wherein I had failed to interpret nature aright. My wish was 

 gratified sooner than I anticipated. 



History and Observations on Halits of Live Specimen. — Through the energy and 

 prompt measues of Mr. John T. Carrington, Naturalist and Curator of the Westminster 

 Eoyal Aquarium, in June 1878 a large adult female Manatee, which had arrived at 

 Greenock in a healthy condition, was purchased and immediately transferred to its 

 final quarters in London. Of its first capture, shipment, and further carriage I learned 

 the following particulars : — The animal was taken in a net on the Dauntless Bank, off the 

 Island of Lequana, near the mouth of the Essiquibo River, British Guiana ; and it was 

 said to have been the only one observed in that locality for three years, thus yielding 

 evidence of their growing scarcity. The native fishermen took it across to Demerara ; and 

 there it was bought on speculation by Capt. Picott, of the S.S. ' Blenheim,' who, by 

 the same evening's mail, despatched a letter to the Managers of the Aquarium. On the 

 voyage across the Atlantic the large box containing the Manatee was kept about two 

 thirds full of fresh water ; and being placed near the " donkey-engine," steam was 

 passed at intervals into the water, so as to keep the latter up to a warm temperature. 

 As the colder latitudes were reached, some trouble was taken to retain the water at a 

 uniform heat. Before starting, a quantity of the fresh so-called "Moca-moca" leaves ^ 

 and fruit was obtained, which the creature devoured in a few days ; and then it was 

 supplied with a liberal allowance of hay and a slight amount of bread. There is, how- 

 ever, no very conclusive evidence of its having consumed the latter -. 



On arriving at Greenock the Manatee was there bought by Mr. Carrington for the 

 sum of £200 ; and the steamer proceeding onwards, conveyed it to Glasgow. Here 

 the tank was carted to the St.-Enoch's station, Midland Railway, and despatched, in a 

 covered car, to London. Telegrams were sent to six different stations in advance to 



' I am ignorant what plant the so-called " Moca-moca " is ; but Dr. Sclater mentions that the Manatee 

 brought to the Zoological Society's Gardens in 1875 " was fed during the vo^-age on the leaves of a large 

 aquatic plant resembling the Water-iily {Nymphcea) shipped for the purpose'' (P. Z. S. 1875, p. 529). 



^ Dr. Chapman (J. c. p. 459), evidently at second hand, says : — •' The smaller Manatee ate more than the 

 larger one, which was natural, the large one having eaten heartily of grass and ship-biscuit before leaving 

 Baltimore in the morning." 



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