182 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



our iiiquisitiveness, live — it is not strauge that these things, which we are prevented 

 from observing by the great sea that lies between, have remained to the present time 

 unknown and unexplored. In the farther coufiues of Asia and the Kussian Empire I 

 learned that the "»S'k/;«6'" of the Scythians was regarded as fabulous. I also learned 

 that in the Desert of Azof, and in that where the Saporozkiensiau Cossacks live, the 

 one-horned goat bears the same name — an animal very common and very well known 

 upon their tables. There is likewise a Scythian wolf, black in color, and described by 

 Aristotle as longer than the common wolf but with shorter legs, exceedingly tierce 

 and savage. There is also in the neighborhood of Voronesch and Astracan an animal 

 that barks like a dog. It is sly and bloodthirsty and will attack people lying asleep 

 or steal whatever it can from the household stores. This may be the hyena of ancient 

 times. And I desire nothing more than that, after 1 have explored Siberia, the 

 authorities may think well to intrust to me the exploration of the deserts — provided 

 no one else undertakes it; and I hope that if my efforts prove acceptable I may be 

 sent into exile for -everal years on their account, that 1 may spend there a long time, 

 which I prophesy will prove but too brief. 



THE MANATEE. 



The following is a descrii)tion of the manatee, or, as it is called by the Dutch, 

 Vacca marina (sea cow), by the English, "sea cow," and by the Russians, '■'•Morsliaia 

 Korova;^^ the description is made from a female killed on the 12th of July, 1742, on 

 Bering Island, which lies in the channel between America and Asia. It had, accord- 

 ing to the English scale of measurement, the following dimensions: 



Inches. 



Length from the extremity of the upper lip to the extreme right cornn of the caudal fork 296. 00 



From the extremitj' of the upper lip to the nares 8.00 



From the narial septum (columiia narium) to the anterior angle of the eye 13.50 



From the anterior angle to the posterior angle of the eye .80 



Distance hetweeii the eyes at the anterior angles ■. 17. 40 



Distance between the eyes at the posterior angles 22.20 



The breadth of the narial septum {columna narium) at its base 1.50 



Height of the narea 2. 50 



Breadth of the nares 2. .50 



From the extremity of tho upper lip to the angle of the mouth {oris froenum) 15.50 



From tho extremity of tho upper lij) to the shoulder 52.00 



From the extremity of the upper lip to the opening of the vulva..-. 194.00 



Length of the vulva 10. 20 



Length of the tail from the anal sphincter to the region of the caudal fin 75. 50 



Circumference of the head above the nostrils (supra nares) 31. 00 



Circumference of the head at the eyes 48. 00 



Circumference of the neck at the nape (nucha) 82. 00 



Height of the end of the snout 8.40 



Circumference of the body at the shoulders 144.00 



The greatest circumference about the middle of the abdomen 244. 00 



The circumference of the tail at the origin (hisertio) of the tin 56.00 



Distance between the extreme points of the caudal fin (this is the breadth of the fin) 78.00 



Height of the tin 8.80 



The whole length of the inner lip, which is villous and rough, like a brush 5. 20 



Width of the same 2. 50 



The width of the exterior upper lip, which stands obliquely to the lower jaw and is covered all 



over with rather long, white bristles 14.00 



Height of the same 10.00 



