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Show 1881.] PROF. w. H. FLOWER ON THE MANATEE. 453 minutely freckled all over with rich purplish red, the speckles passing into a zone at the larger end, and measures about 0 9 by 0*6 inch. Mr. H . E. Dresser, F.Z.S., exhibited a specimen of Saxicola de-serti (male in autumn dress), which had been shot at Gartmore D a m near Alloa, in Clackmannanshire, and was in the collection of Mr. John J. Dalgleish of Edinburgh ; also an adult male Picus pubescens, said to have been shot in an orchard near Elban (Seine-Inferieure), France, by M . Noury. This specimen had been sent by M . Noury to M r. E. Hargitt as Picus minor, and was only on subsequent examination found to belong really to Picus pubescens (a purely American form), and not to P. minor. Mr. W . A . Forbes read some notes on the external form and on the anatomy of the Californian Sea-lion (Otaria gillespii.) This paper will be published in the Society's ' Transactions.' The following papers were read :- 1. Notes on the Habits of the Manatee. By WILLIAM HENRY FLOWER, LL.D., F.R.S., P.Z.S. [Eeceived March 1, 1881.] It is strange that so important a point in the natural history of those peculiarly interesting mammals the Sirenia as whether they have the power and are in the habit of voluntarily quitting the element in which they habitually reside, should still be a question of doubt. Some years ago, after investigating all the somewhat scanty positive evidence that I could find upon the subject, I came to the conclusion, notwithstanding the statements of nearly all zoological writers1 to the contrary, that, though they may occasionally be found stranded by the tide or waves, there is no direct evidence of their voluntarily leaving the water to bask or feed upon the shore. Dr. Murie, who has paid great attention to this group, says, speaking of the Dugong, "the stories of their being found ashore browsing on land-herbage are not supported by fact; indeed the inadequate strength of their fore limbs, the absence of hind extremities, and their unwieldy bodies prevent them from travelling on land " 2. Though not expressly mentioned in the work quoted, he tells m e that the observation equally applies to the Manatee. 1 Among whom may be mentioned Cuvier (Regne Animal), Desmarest (Mam-malogie), Owen (Anatomy of Vertebrates), Giebel (Saugetbiere), J. E. Gray (Cat. Seals and Whales), and Van Beneden (Ost6ographie des Cetaces). On the other hand, Dampier, one of the best observers of the habits of the American Manatee, at the time the animal was abundant, expressly says, "They never come ashore, nor into shallower water than where they can swim" ('Voyage round the World,' vol. i. 6th edition, 1717, p. 34). 2 Cassell's Nat. Hist. vol. ii. p. 270. |