l^S THE MANATI TRIBE. 



From the form of this animal we are led to sup- 

 pose it a resident in watery situations ; that it bur- 

 rows in the banks of rivers, or under ground, and 

 that its food consists of aquatic plants and anlm.ds. 

 But the structure of its beak is such as not to en^ 

 able it to lay firm hold of its pre}'- : when, how- 

 ever^ the two marginal lips are brought together, 

 the animal has most probably a considerable power 

 ot suction, and in this Ui annex may draw food into 

 its mouth *. 



THE MANx\TI TRIBE, 



THE animals of this tribe are destitute of fore- 

 teeth in both jaws. From the upper jaw, however, 

 proceed two great tusks^ which point downwards. 

 The grinders have wrinkled surfaces. The lips are 

 doubled. The hind feet are at the extremity of the 

 body, and unite into a kind of hn. 



The Manati are entirely marine ; feeding on sea- 

 weeds, corallines, and shell-fish, and not carni- 

 vorous. Their elongated body, declining in bulk 

 from the head gradually to the tail; and their short, 

 fin-like feet ; give them some alliance to tiie fishy 

 tribes. They may indeed be considered as form- 

 ing one of those steps in nature, by which we are 

 conducted from one great division of the animal 

 world to the other. Though the general residency 



* Phil. Tian. for 1800, p. -132. 



