MANATI. 
341 
drawn on shore, and even cut up and carried away, 
was observed to remain as if in expectation of her 
return.” 
They grow to the length of twenty-eight feet, 
and appear very deformed ; the outward skin is de- 
scribed as black, rugged, and knotty, like the 
bark of an oak. It serves admirably to defend the 
creature against the sharp edges of the rocks, as it 
is an inch thick, and so hard as scarcely to be cut 
with an axe. 
