26 DR. J. MURIE ON THE MANATEE, 
figs. 7 & 9, would occur, and even that the positions in figs. 1, 2, and 3 might obtain, 
as movement in the water caused flexion and change of outline according to circum- 
stances; but that the peculiar attitudes, with bent body and tail, shown in figs. 5, 
6, & 8 (same plate) should be by far the most ordinary ways in which the Manatee 
rests stationary for hours together, was not to be previously conceived or looked for. 
The attitudes depicted were, moreover, again and again witnessed by crowds of on- 
lookers. According as the water was higher or lower, so did the animal incline to 
its relative position in the tank, often preferring to be sufficiently near the surface 
for a leisurely turn upwards of the bent body to enable the nostrils to reach the air. 
On occasions, possibly being cramped for want of plenty of room, it would by a slow 
kind of half-rolling easy turn display a variety of movement, see fig. 4, Pl. V. It cer- 
tainly was very extraordinary and suggestive of one use of its great broad flat tail to 
find this latter bent under and resting on the ground, while the body with dependent 
fore limbs (fig. 8) lay horizontally above. But the highly curved body, head, and tail 
as the creature floated without evident motion (fig. 5) was quite as remarkable, and, to 
me, a new and unexpected attitude, and one of very frequent occurrence. At one time 
it would float, doze, and sleep with body and tail stretched perfectly horizontal (fig. 7) ; 
at another, descending to the bottom, it lay full stretched in the more natural slum- 
bering posture of repose (fig. 9). 
Again, when feeding, while not unfrequently it would seize with its bristle-clad lips 
and munch the lettuces near the surface appearing in side view, much as in Pl. V. 
fig. 1, yet the most common position in feeding was that in Pl. VII. fig. 1. The last- 
mentioned figure, moreover, shows how it uses its flippers or fore paws to grasp the 
vegetable substances and conyey or hold and steady them while the corners of the 
upper lip bend in, as shall afterwards be spoken of. 
Dr. Chapman (/. c. p. 461) mentions, ‘““ When not in motion the Manatee rested by 
the tip of his tail upon the floor of the aquarium, his head downward, and with the 
back much arched.” I presume, therefore, he means one or other of the positions (see 
the present fig. 5 or 8, Pl. V.). 
The fore limb, and obviously the manus, has a greater variety of movement than 
might be thought possible from its stiff skin-gloved character—a circumstance explained 
by the well-developed hand-muscles; for there is not merely an extensive web of stout 
aponeurotic fascia, as obtains in the Whales. In the Manatee under consideration I 
observed that, when at rest, the flippers were usually partially tucked in under the 
body, but unequally so, the left one having received an injury which, though healed, 
had left a stiff joint. 
There would seem to be little doubt but the attitudes now depicted are the 
natural ones of Manatus, and those quite habitual to the genus. Thus, knowing it 
frequents lagoons, estuaries, and other shallow waters where herbage is abundant, the 
conditions (save less reeds and muddy water) of tank to a pool are quite within the 
bounds of comparison. 
