MAMMALS 319 



teats are ttvo in number and anterior in position. The sl;in 

 nay bear scattering hairs. 



Manatee. — This is a rurious mamnial, forming a sort 

 of connecting link Ijctween the whales and the hoofed 

 mammals. The American manatee ranges from Florida 

 to northern South .Vmcrica. It is still found in certain 

 rivers of Florida, and is |)rotected from extermination by 

 state laws. The skin (jf this animal is smooth, but has 

 scattering hairs. It is twelve to fifteen feet long and fre- 

 rjuents the n)ouths of rivers. The molar teeth have flat 

 crowns for grinding vegetation, for the manatee lives upon 

 aquatic plants. The fore limbs are modified into paddles and 

 the rounded, thin, flat tail acts as a propelling organ, while 

 the hind limbs are wanting. The flesh of a closely related 

 species is used for food by the South American natives. 



There are certain sea cows, known as dugongs, found 

 along the eastern coast of Africa and the coasts of India, 

 Ceylon, and Australia. 



The Hoofed Mammals ( Unqulata) 



The hoofed mamjnals are chiefly lierliivorous and the skin 

 may bear an abundant covering of liair or the fur may be 

 scanty. The claivs or nails of other mammcds are replaced 

 tjy a horny hoof tvhich, bears the iveiglit of the body, and the 

 canine teeth are absent. 



The hoofed mammals may be divided into three groups : 

 those that possess an odd number of toes, the horse, zebra, 

 ass, tapir, and rhinoceros; those with an even number of 

 toes, giraffe, camel, deer, o.xen, hog, and hippopotamus; 

 and a third group including those that have a trunk, or 

 proboscis, represented by the elephant. 



