ISO SEA-APE MANATI. 



Indians as thongs for fastening the sides of their 

 canoes *. 



SEA-APE MANAT!-}-. 



This anlmalj though placed among the Manati 

 by Mr. Pennant, seems rather to belong to the next 

 order, and to be a Seal J. The following is Dr. 

 Grieve's account of it. — Mr. Sieller saw. off the 

 coast of America, a marine animal which he calls a 

 Sea-ape. The head appeared like that of a Dog ; 

 with sharp and upright ears, large eyes, and with 

 both lips bearded. The body was round and conoid, 

 the thickest part near the head ; and the tail was 

 forked. The animal was apparently destitute of feet. 



It was extremely wanton, and played a number 

 of apish-tricks. It sometimes swam on one and 

 sometimes on the other side of the ship, gazing 

 at it with great admiration. It would often stand 

 erect for a considerable time, with one-third of its 

 body abo\'e the Vv'ater ; then dart beneath the ship 

 and appear on the other side, and repeat the same 

 thirt)- times together. It would frequently rise with 

 a sea plant in its mouth, not unhke the Bottle- 

 gourd, and tos-^ it up and catch it again, playing with 

 it a thousand antics'^. 



From this animal, much more probably than from 

 the Round-tailed Manati^ the fable of the Syrens 

 might originate. 



* Penn. Quad. ii. 541. f Sea-ape. Grieve. J Linn. Gmel. i. 63. n. 

 § Grieve, 13G. Penn. Arct. Zool. 



