ROUND-TAILED MANATI. 
the same direction. So that, at first sight, the 
tail of the former seems to be divided into 
three; and, in the latter, these three pans ap- 
"pear to be united into one. But, from a more 
attentive observation, and particularly from 
dissection, it appears that no such union takes 
place : that there is not a vestige of thigh- 
bones and legs ; and, that the bones which 
compose the tail of the Manati, are simple 
vertebra, similar to those of the Cetaceous 
animals, which have no feet. Hence, these 
animals are Cetaceous by the hind part of 
tlieir bodies ; and are only allied to the Qua- 
drupeds by the two fore-feet, or hands, on the 
sides of the breast.'* 
Oviedo, said to be the first author who gave 
a history and description of the Manati, ob- 
serves that, as the Spaniards call the fore- 
feet of all quadrupeds hands, and this animal 
has only two fore-feet, they have naaied it the 
Manati, or the Aniinal with Hands." 
The Manati chieJBy inhabits the seas and ri- 
sers of America ; though the Round-Tailed Ma- 
nati, which we have described, as well as some 
other species or varieties, is found on the coasts 
and 
