KALICOBK DTJGOjrO. 311 



2 — 2 

 molars are only - — -. The grinding surface has a ring of enamel at the 



circumference, and a slightly excavated centre of ivory. 



The tongue is spiny in front, and has a curious horny process on each 

 side of its base, ITie stomach is double, the cardiac portion large, the 

 pyloric narrower, with two tubiform coecal prolongations : it is divided in- 

 to distinct compartments. The caicum is simple and cordiform. The heart 

 is deeply cleft, separating the ventricles. The superficial air-vessels of the 

 lungs are large, turtle-like, and the lungs and bronchi generally are like 

 those of the Turtles. The organs of generation resemble those of Eumi- 

 nantia. There is a nyctitating membrane. 



240. Halicore dugong. 



Trichechus apud Erxlbben. — Blyth, Cat. 4:72. — Fig. F. Cdvieb, 

 Mamm., 2, 120. — H. cetacea, Illiger. — H. indica, Desmarest, figd, 

 Hardwicke, m. Ind. Zool. 



The Dugong or Duyang. 



Descr. — Skin uniform bluish, sometimes blotched with white beneath 

 or pale fulvous with white under parts ; eyes very small ; incisors nearly 

 concealed ; a few scattered bristles on the body. With eighteen pairs of 

 ribs (Kelaart). Up to 9 or 10 feet in length and upwards ; usually 5 to 7 

 feet. 



The Dugong has been taken on the Andaman islands, in Ceylon, and oa 

 the west coast of India as high, it is stated, as the Concan, i. e., the coast 

 of Canara. It appears that they are known as Seals, and found along the 

 shore, and in the salt-water inlets of the Concan and south Malabar. It 

 is said to feed on the vegetable matter found about the rocks, and also to 

 bask and sleep in the morning sun. 



The Seal of Forbes (Oriental Memoirs) appears to be the Otter. Th& 

 flesh of the Dugong is highly esteemed. It is tolerably abundant in Cey- 

 lon, where called Talla malm; and in the Malayan regions at Singapore 

 &c. The female gives birth to one young only at a time, and it is said to 

 show strong affection for her young. Sir J. Tennent, in his Natural His- 

 tory of Ceylon, figures a Dugong holding her young. 



Another species recorded is Halicore tabermculi, Euppell, from the 

 Eed Sea, so named by him because he considers it to be the animal with 

 whose skin the tabernacle was veiled. 



