Page:Mammals of Australia (Gould), introduction.djvu/67

 New Sperm-Whale lately set up in the Australian Museum; together with some account of a new genus of Sperm-Whales called Euphysetes,' published by W. R. Piddington, Sydney, 1851. In like manner, I cannot leave unpublished the following interesting letter respecting the Dugong, which has been forwarded to me by my brother-in-law, Charles Coxen, Esq., of Brisbane, Queensland:—

"The Dugong (Halicore australis, Owen) occurs in considerable numbers in Moreton Bay, but, I am led to believe, is not found further south. To the north it is plentiful in all the bays, such as Wide Bay, Port Curtis, Keppel Bay, &c., and all along the east and north coasts, in every situation suitable to its habits. In size it varies from six to nine feet in length, the latter being the size of a large "bull;" the weight also varies from 600 to 1000 lbs.; the girth at the largest part, just behind the flippers, is about six-eighths of the length; near the root of the tail it is very taper and small. The head is very peculiar: the eyes and ears are small; the nostrils small and oblique; the fleshy upper lip, which depends some three or four inches from the jaw, is peculiarly truncate in form, and covered with short stout bristles; the lower lip is globular, pendulous, and attached by a small neck to the jaw. The name given to the Dugong by the aborigines is Young-un. The flesh is greedily eaten and much sought for by them; and when they have been successful in procuring one or two, which occasionally happens, they gorge themselves in a most unseemly manner, and grease themselves all over with the fat and oil until they glisten in the sun like a roll of butter in the dog-days.

"The female, or 'cow' exhibits much tenderness in the care of her offspring, and when injured utters a low, plaintive, snuffling sound, which appears to be understood by the calf.

"In the spring or calving-time they frequent the smaller bays and inlets of Moreton Bay, and are found feeding, in the more tranquil spots, on the Algæ and other marine