180 Sir T. S. Raffles's account 
which the skeleton and intestines are now sent to England, 
was taken at Singapore, in June, 1819. 
According to the information given by the natives, the 
dugong is never found on land, or in fresh water, but gene- 
rally in the shallows and inlets of the sea, where the water 
is only two or three fathoms deep. During our short pos- 
session of Singapore, (not more than six months) four of 
these animals have been taken ; but the greatest number 
is said to be caught during the opposite or northerly mon- 
soon, when the sea is calmest, near the mouth of the Johore 
river, in the inlet of the sea between Singapore Island and 
the main. They are usually taken by spearing (at which 
the natives are particularly dexterous) during the night, when 
the animals give warning of their approach by the snuffling 
noise they make at the surface of the water. The first 
object is to secure and elevate the tail, when the animal be- 
comes perfectly powerless, and at their disposal. They are 
seldom caught above eight or nine feet in length, but how 
much larger they grow is not ascertained, as when they ex- 
- ceed this size, their superior strength enables them to make 
their escape when attacked. 
The Ikan dugong is considered by the Malays as a royal 
fish, and the king is entitled to all that are taken. The flesh 
is highly prized, and considered by them far superior to that 
of the buffalo or cow. They distinguish two varieties, the 
duyong bumban , and the duyong buntal ; the latter much 
thicker and shorter in proportion. The breasts of the adult 
females are said to be large. The affection of the mother 
for its young is strongly marked ; and the Malays make 
