Connecticut western news., 1886-02-10
CAPTURE OF A SEA COW.
SECURING A RARE AMERICAN NON
 STER IN FLORIDA.
An Animal Which is Little Known What the Manatec Looks Like A Hunt for One,

An Animal Which is Little Known
 What the Manatec Looks Like
 A Hunt for One.
 A communication to the Cincinnati Enquirer from St. Lucie bay, Florida, says: The St. Lucie river is only ten miles in length. It is the shortest river in Florida, If not in America. Certain persons contend that it is merely part of Indian river. A small stream is formed from the waters that ooze from the Halbatteeoka Flats and broadens and deepens until it is navigable for small boats, and when it reaches St. Lucie bay 1t is of quite respectable size. There is something peculiar about this stream. Along its banks plants are found which are sought for in vain elsewhere, and the Indians regard it with mysterious awe, SO that it might be with propriety called the Ganges of the Seminoles. But the characteristics which gives it such importance in the eyes of the hunter is that here alone is found the rare manatee, or American sea- COW. These animals were once quite abundant in many parts of the extreme South, but to-day the St. Lucie river is the only locality where the manatee can be looked for with any degree of cer- tainty. The high price paid for these rare animals by naturalists and museums induces many people in this region to hunt them, and it was my good fortune recently to be present at the capture of large one. It is very difficult task, for here is creature whose like Is not to be found anywhere else in the world. There is no more awkward, helpless or curious animal The head is broad, and the eyes are completely hidden by heavy folds of skin. The mouth is shaped very much like that of COW in every way but the teeth. These are so long and sharp that one might at first be led to believe that they belonged to a carnivorous species. Nevertheless, the sea COW isa strict vege- tarian and eats nothing but aquatic plants It has been asserted that its only food is the manatee grass, which grows in immense quantities in the St. Lucie river. The grass has large, broad blades, and is found in eight or ten feet of water, growing on the bottom and extending to the surface.
 A full-grown manatee should weigh about 1 200 pounds, although ono monster was captured many years ago which weighed 1,500 pounds. Such one would be twelve feet in length and have gifth of four feet. They are provided with flip pers about ten inches in length, and the body diminishes into large, fan-like tail similar to the porpoise. The skin is black and sparsely covered with short, black hair. They move with considerable ra- | pidity through the water, and although 8 most clumsy-looking animal when on land, they understand very well how to | conduct themselves in their native ele- ment. They possess, perhaps, the most acute hearing of all animals. So delicate and perfect is this sense in the manatee | that the sound of an oar, no matter how carefully handled, will alarm them at a distance of half mile. It is common habit in Key West and other towns in Southern Florida, in speaking of man whose hearing ii acute, to say that he | hears like manatee. This is wise dis pensation of Providence, for the manatee is lacking in almost every ordinary means | of self-defense. When caught they never attempt to bite, and can in no way resent l the indignities offered by their captors. Their flesh is excellent eating. The fat test, juicest beef is by no means equal to 1 it.
 A hunter named Kelly, with two or three companions, recently started out on a manatee hunt. They had large marlin net and a wooden tank for the purpose of 1 keeping the animal alive should one be caught. The spot selected was cove | formed by bend in the river, where the 1 water was twelve feet deep. The net, l which was 300 feet long, was extended 1 between stakes set firmly in the bottom, and the hunters retired to their huts in the adjacent woods and patiently awaited results. Two or three times a day they went down and inspected the net, but l nothing was to be seen except an occa- sional alligator, who beat nasty retreat l through the large meshes of the net as soon as he perceived the danger he was in. A small row boat was used in going to and from the net, which was about a quarter of mile from the shore. After two weeks of waiting they were rewarded by seeing the floats bobbing about in a
 lively fashion. Excitedly, but with sure movements, the men took bundle oi inch rope and set out for the captured prize, who was creating quite commo- tion in the water, and tangling himself up beautifully in the relentless meshes o1 the marlin net.
 The monster was soon tugged into shal- low water A combination of ropes and pulleys was arranged, and he was dragged ashore. With his 1900 pounds he was by no means easily managed. He was then placed in the tank, which was six by ten l feet, and kept until sloop arrived, which conveyed the precious freight to Key West. This was male, and not long ago female was caught. l do not know where or to whom they were sold, or at what price. Some years ago P. T. Barnum paid $1, ,000 in gold for mana tee of small size. and their extreme rarity at the present time would cause them to be valued at perhaps three times as much. The animal was kept for fully week be- fore the sloop arrived, and I formed an intimlte acquaintance with tho strange creature For the first day or two he w,s shy, but commenced batting him on the head, and when he saw that my intentions were good our acquai ntance ripened into something like friend ship. He opened his mouth and devoured bananas, cab bage leaves and delicate bits of vegetables which I offered him. During the week the water in the tank was changed twice-once with fresh and once with salt water; one is as good as the other for the manatee. In days long gone by, the Seminole Indians, Twin g in White water bay, near Cape Sable, killed the manatee, jerked the flesh, and sold it to the Spaniards at-a good price. Ten years ago the meat could be bought at fifty cents pound. There is no doubt that the manatee is rapidly becoming an ex- tinct animal Like the dodo bird, which fourished in the East in the middle ages, but is now extinct, the sea-cow will pass out of existence, and will be looked upon few centuries hence as monstrosity. | Mammoth Culm Piles.