278 
THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 
[chap. XV. 
to 1854. With reference to this point it may be remarked 
that many circumstances indicate that the Rhytina herds were 
rather driven away from the rich pastures on Behring Island 
than exterminated there, and that the species became extinct 
because in their new haunt they were unable to maintain the 
struggle for existence. The form of the sea-cow, varying from 
that of most recent animals, besides indicates that, like the long¬ 
tailed duck on Iceland, the dront on Mauritius, and the large 
ostrich-like birds on New Zealand, it was the last representative 
of an animal group destined to extinction. 
Mr. OscHE, one of the Alaska Company’s skin inspectors, a 
native of Liffland and at present settled on Copper Island, in¬ 
formed me that the bones of the sea-cow also occurred on the 
western side of that island. On the other hand, such bones 
are said not to be found on the small island described farther on 
lying off the colony on Behring Island, although Bhytina bones 
are common on the neighbouring shores of the main island. 
This is the scanty information I have been able to collect 
from the natives and others resident in the quarter regarding 
the animal in question. On the other hand, my endeavours to 
procure Ehytina bones were crowned with greater success, and 
I succeeded in actually bringing together a very large and fine 
collection of skeleton fragments. 
When I first made the acquaintance of Europeans on the 
island, they told me that there was little probability of finding 
anything of value in this respect; for the company had offered 
150 roubles for a skeleton without success. But before I had 
been many hours on land, I came to know that large or small 
collections of bones were to be found here and there in the huts 
of the natives. These I purchased, intentionally paying for them 
such a price that the seller was more than satisfied and his neigh¬ 
bours were a little envious. A great part of the male population 
now began to search for bones very eagerly, and in this way I 
collected such a quantity that twenty-one casks, large boxes, or 
