18.1 
SEA-APE MAKATI, 
continues of nearly the same thickness almost to 
the tail, where it suddenly narrows ; the tail is 
flat, and of the shape of a spatula ; thickest in 
the middle, and thinner towards the edges. 
Sea-ape manati. 
This animal, though' placed among the manati 
by Mr. Pennant, seems rather, to belong to the next 
order, and to be a seal. The following is Dr, 
Grieve’s account of it. Mr Steller. saw off the 
coast of America, a marine animal which he calls 
a sea-ape. The head appeared like that of a dog ; 
with sharp and upright ears, large eyes, and with 
both lips bearded. The body was round and co- 
noid, the thickest part near the head * and the tail 
was forked. The animal was apparently destitute 
of feet. 
It was extremely wanton, and played a number 
of apish-tricks. It sometimes swam on one and 
sometimes on the other side of the ship, gazing 
at it with great admiration. It would often stand 
erect for a considerable time, with one-third of its 
body abo^e the water ; then dart beneath the ship 
and appear on the other side, and repeat the same 
thirty times together. It would frequently rise with 
a sea plant in its mouth, not unlike the bottle- 
gourd, and toss it up and catch it again, playing 
with it a thousand antics. 
From this animal, much more probably than from 
the round-tailed manati, the fable of the Syrens 
plight originate. 
