DUGONG', Halicore, a genus of mnammalia, of the family manatidce (q.v.), or herbiv orous cetacea, distinguished by molar teeth with flat summits, and composed of two cones laterally united, the incisors of the upper jaw elongated almost into tusks; the tail forked or crescent-shaped; and the swimming paws destitute of any vestiges of nails. One species alone has been thoroughly ascertained and accurately described. The D. (IL indices, or IL dugong) of the Indian archipelago is said to attain a length of 20 ft. when full grown, although it is more frequently seen of only 8 to 12 ft. long. In general form, it much resembles the manatee. The skull is remarkable for the sudden bending downwards of the upper jaw almost at a right angle. The upper lip is large, thick, and fleshy, covering the prominent incisors, and forming a kind of snout, "some thing like the trunk of the elephant cut short across." The eyes are very small, and are furnished with a third eyelid or nictitating me5nbrane. The skin is smooth and thick, hut yields no oil. The anatomy of the D. has been very carefully examined. It exhib its a very remarkable peculiarity, in the ventricles of the heart being completely detached from one another. Its osteology has been found to exhibit interesting points of corre
spondence with that of the pachydennata, as in the numerous ribs, etc. ; its dentition resembles in some particulars that of the elephant; its digestive apparatus is adapted to vegetable food, differing very much from that of the whales, dolphins, and other ordi nary cetaceans. It feeds on the algae which grow on submarine rocks in shallow seas. Its lips are pf much use in gathering together its food. It often comes to time surface to breathe, and is said to utter a peculiar cry. It is gregarious. The female produces one young one at a birth, and shows an affection for it which is proverbial among the Ma lays. When the young one is taken, the mother is easily secured. The D. is generally pursued in boats, and killed by spearing. The flesh is highly esteemed even by Euro peans, and is described as resembling young beef. That of full-grown animals is, how -ever, comparatively coarse, on which account, and the greater facility of capture, the younger ones are more frequently killed. According to Riippell, it was with the skin of the D. of the Red sea that the Jews were directed to veil the tabernacle.