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THE WHALE-TAILED MANATI *. 



The Whale -tailed Manati live entirely in the wa-* 

 ter, and in other respects they so nearly approach tlie 

 Whale trihe, as scarcely to deserve the name of 

 Quadrupeds. What are denominated feet are little 

 more than pectoral fins_, which serve only for swim- 

 ming:. 



They inhabit the seas between America andlvamts- 

 chatka, but never appear otF the coast of Kamts- 

 chatka, unless driven there by a tempest. — They are 

 always found in herds. The old ones keep behind, 

 and drive the young before them ; and some go a- 

 long the sides, by way of protection. — On the ris- 

 ing of die tide tb.ey approach the shores^ and are 

 so tame as to suffer themselves to be handled. They 

 live in families near one another, each consisting qf 

 a male and female, a half grown young one, and a 

 new-born cub ; and these families often unite so., as 

 to form vast droves '|~. 



In their manners they are peaceable and harmless, 

 and bear the strongest attachment to each- other. 

 Wlien one is hooked, the whole herd will attempt 

 its rescue ; some will strive to overset the boat by 

 going beneath it ; others will fling themselves on the 

 rope of the hook, and press it down in order to break 

 it ; and others again will make the utmost efforts to 

 wrench the instrum.ent out of the body of their 

 wounded companion. 



* Synonyms.— Triclieclms Boreal;^. L/;/». — M&?d:L:;u EoroNva, 

 the Russian name, Sk-//c/- — Wlidlc-Uilcd Manati. Paui. 

 t Pt'iiii. tii'iul. ii. bjj. 



