182 THE FUE SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



our iuqaisitiveness, live — it is not strange that these things, which we are prevented 

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

 unknown and unexplored. In the farther confines of Asia and the Itussian Empire I 

 learned that the ";8M7iac" of the Scythians was regarded as fabulous. I also learned 

 that in the Desert of Azof, and in that where the Saporozkiensian Gossacks 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 fierce 

 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 I 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 I may spend there a long time, 

 which I prophesy will prove but too brief. 



THE MANATEE. 



The following is a description of the manatee, or, as it is called by the Dutch, , 

 Vacca marina (sea cow), by the English, "sea cow," and by the Eussians, ^'Morskaia 

 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 comu of the caudal forls; 296. 00 



From the extremity of the upper lip to the nares 8. 00 



From the narial septum ( columna narium) to the anterior angle of the eye 13. 50 



From the anterior angle to th") posterior angle of the eye .80 



Distance between 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 X. 50 



fieightof the nares 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 the extremity of the upper lip to the shoulder , 52.00 



From the extremity of the upper lip to the opening of the vulva 194. 00 



Length of the vulva j : : 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 qo 



Height of the end of the snout ; §40 



Circumference of the body at the shoulders I44 qq 



The greatest circumference about the middle of the abdomen 244.00 



The circumference of the tail at the origin (insertio) of the fin 55 OQ 



Distance between the extreme points of the caudal fin (this is the breadth of the fin) '., 78. 00 



Height of the fin ggO 



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 j aw and is covered all 



over with rather long, white bristles 14 00 



Height of the same..< t... ., 10.00 



