IT. Pl. 46.

163. Vespertilio Tasmaniensis

164. Arctocephalus lobatus . E : :

165. Stenorhynchus leptonyx

INTRODUCTION. XXXiX

WO, IBUE, TAL 416).

Habitat. Tasmania.

Family PHOCIDA, Gray.

Genus ArcrocrerHaus, &. Cuv.
Vol. III. Pl. 49.

Habitat. Southern coasts of New South Wales and Tasmania.

Genus STenoruyncuus, F. Cuv.
Wo, JUUL, IAL &O,

Habitat. The coasts of Tasmania and the southern portions of Australia generally.

Family CANIDZ.

Genus Canis, Linn.

166. Canis Dingo, Blumenb. . Vol. III. Pls. 51 & 52.

Dwer-da, aborigines of Western Australia.

Hatitat. Australia generally.

Although I have omitted the Whales and Dugong, I cannot, in justice to Mr. Wm. Sheridan Wall, omit to
call attention to his ‘ History and Description of the Skeleton of a New Sperm-Whale lately set up in the Aus-
tralian 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 In like manner, I cannot leave unpublished the following interesting letter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 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 Alge and other marine vegetable productions growing on the shoals
near the mainland and the islands. During the winter months they are more frequently met with at sea, or
Their feeding-grounds vary from four to ten feet at high water.

outside the large bays.
The aborigines are very expert in the

‘‘Harpooning is at present the only mode of procuring the Dugong.
use of the instrument, and the quickness of their sight renders them superior to Europeans for such service; but
the loss of time, and consequent expense, owing to the unsettled habits of the natives, and at times the ruffled
state of the water, have prevented its capture being entered upon as a business. A few years ago a party com-

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