DR. J. MURIE ON THE MANATEE. 21 
According to the dissection made by Prof. E. Ray Lankester, under Prof. Garrod’s 
supervision, my statement (/. ¢.) as to the number and arrangement of the cervical 
nerves is not confirmed; and the further evidence of Prof. Edouard Van Beneden, of 
Liége, 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 Habits of Live Specimen.—Through the energy and 
prompt measues of Mr. John T. Carrington, Naturalist and Curator of the Westminster 
Royal 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 anda 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 
1T 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 voyage on the leaves of a large 
aquatic plant resembling the Water-lily (Wymphea) shipped for the purpose” (P. Z.S. 1875, p. 529). 
2 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 haying eaten heartily of grass and ship-biscuit before leaving 
Baltimore in the morning.” 
E 2 
