239 



INDIAN WALRUS. 



Trichechus Dugong. T. dentibus laniariis superioribus exsertis 



approximatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 60. 

 Dugon. Buff. 13./. 374.//. 56. 

 Indian Walrus. Pennant ^uadr. 2. p. 369. 



This species is a native of the seas about the 

 Cape of Good Hope and the Philippine islands. 

 It does not, however, seem to be very clearly 

 known to naturalists. The count de Buffon in- 

 forms us, that he had seen the two heads of this 

 species, which had in the upper jaw two tusks, not 

 extending directly out of the mouth, as in the 

 common Walrus, but much shorter, being not 

 above half a foot long; more slender, and rather 

 resembling large cutting- teeth than tusks; being 

 situated very near each other in the fore part of 

 the jaw. The grinders also differ from those of 

 the Walrus, being broader in proportion ; of these 

 there are four on each side in the upper jaw, and 

 three in the lower. The head is also said to be 

 of a sharper or narrower form. This species, in 

 the Philippine islands, is said to be called by the 

 name of Dugung. 



