The Brookhaven leader., 1888-08-30
EXCITING BUSINESS.
The Capture of Manatsss on the East Coas'
Of Florida


of Florida
The east coast OF Florida at one time
not so very far distant was the hunters
paradise. And even now, for the
smaller game, there are few parts OF
the State where more fun can be en-
joyed by the hunter or fisherman. The
manatee, or "sea-cow," is one OF the
few large animals left in this sections
and its pursuit is exciting in the ex-
treme. 1t is very peculiar animal,
both in Its appearance and habits, ana
its mode of capture is interesting. The
manatee looks like huge pOrker
squeezed fat" or an elongated pan
cake" 1t Is generally 8 to II feet in
length, and from to 6 feet broad, and
IL has fiat body. Its head Is shaped
something like n cows, with round
muzzle. The skin is dark and rough,
and hangs in folds similar to that of u
hippopotamus or rhinOceros; it is
sparsely covered with hair. The afis
mails eyes are well-nigh covered up
by the folds of flesh or skin that hang
loose around its head. The animals
weigh from nine hundred pounds up
ward, and, though most helpless and
ungainly looking creatures when on
lard, yet in the water they are ex-
ceedingly spry, their Aukes and flip
pers sending them through the water
with incredible speed. They are very
acute OF ear, and detect sounds on the
water for q long distance, hence their
capture is a matter OF no small skill
and dexterity. They live on grass
almost wholly, and there are only a
few places on the coast where they
have feeding grounds.
St. Lucie river, which opens into
Indian river from the Halpatteeoka
creek some miles above this place, is
their tavorite haunt here. The stream
is short, wide, and with little current.
The waters are dark and the bed OF
the river is covered with thick
growth of vegetation, "sea-cow'
grass being the principal plant. Many
other rare plants are also found along
its banks, none of which grow else
where.
Three fine specimens wers captured
last fall and two others q few mouths
ago. The last party used a very heavy
and strong purse net, strengthened
with extra ropes. They selected q
cove near tho mouth of the river,
where the water was about Twelve feet
deep. The net, which was about 3OO
long and with very large meshes, was
extended between stakes set at the
bottom and shaped so as to have an
open place left ct the lower side, as the
manatees eat against the stream.
After the trap was set the party retired
to their camp, nearly mile away, and
patiently awaited results. The net
was visited every day, but beyond an
alligator or shark nothing was secured.
At length, after eight or nine days OF
waiting, their patience was rewarded
by finding, one noon, two fine specl-
mems entangled ii the nets meshes.
The task to get them out was not an
easy one by any means. While the
animals were timid enough when not
molested, yet WHEN at bay they were
antagonists not TO be despised. The
net was gradually brought in toward
shore, the animals making furious
rushes and plunges as they felt the in
closing wings OF the net. A tlatboat
was then pushed up close to the net;
strong ropes were thrown around one
of the mantees, and it was 50 tightly
wrapped up and envelOped that it
could not move. This was attended
with considerable Danger, and one Of
the men received severe wound in
the thigh from the creatures tusk,
while another was knocked senseles5
by blow from its huge and powerful
tail. Both animals were finally
secured, and then by means of power
full tackle lifted on to flats and placed
in tanks. They were then taken to
Titusville, shipped thence to Jackson
vile, and after being exhibited there
for several days, We're forwarded to
New York, there to be sold to a
enagerie.-Jupiter Inlet (FlG.J Letter