The Osceola times., 1888-09-01
EXCITING suSINGSS,
rhs Capture Of Msnatsss on the East Coast
of fFlorfda.


me Capture Of Msnatsss on the East Ceass
of Florida.
The east coast Of Florida at one time
not 80 very far distant was tho hunters
paradise. And even now, for the
smaller game, there are few parts OF
the State where more fun can be en-
1oyed by tho hunter or fisherman. The
manatee, or "sea-cow," Is one OF the
few largo animals left In this section.
and Its pursuit is exciting in the sx-
treme. II is very peculiar animal,
both in its appearance and habits, and
Its mode Of capture is interesting. The
manatee looks like a huge porker
squeezed fat" or an elongated "pan-
cake" 1t is generally 8 to ~ feet in
length, and from to 6 feet broad, and
1t has fiat body. Its head is shaped
something like a cows, with round
muzzle. The skin Is dark and rough,
and hangs in folds similar to that Of u
hippopotamus or rhinoceros; 1t IL
sparsely covered with hair. The ami
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
land, yet In the water they are ex-
ceedingly spry, their fukes and Zip
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 q matter OF no small skill
and dexterity. They live on grass
almost wholly, and there are only .
few places on the coast whero they
have feeding grounds.
St. Lucie river. which opens Into
Indian river from tho Halpatteeoka
creek some miles above this place, 10
their fsvorite haunt here. The stream
IL short. wide, and with little current
The waters are dark and tho bed OF
tho river Is covered with q thick
growth Of vegetation, . 'searcow"
grass being the principal plant. Many
other rare plants are also found along
Its banks. none of which grow else
where.
Three fine specimens wore captured
last fall and two others q few months
ago. The last party used very heavy
and strong purse net, strengthened
with extra ropes. They selected q
cove near the mouth OF the river,
whore tho water was about twelve feet
deep. The net, which was about 500
long and with very largo meshes, wa
extended between stakes set al the
bottom and shaped 90 as TO have AZ
open place left at the lower side, W. the
manatees eat against the stream
After the trap was set the party retire<
to their camp, nearly mile away. AND
patiently awaited results. The ne
was visited every day. but beyond al
alligator or shark nothing was secured
I At length. after eight or nine days o
I waiting, their patience was rewarde'
! by finding. ono noon, two fine speci
mems entangled IL. the nets meshes
,, The task to get them out was not ri
r easy one by any means. While tn
animals were timid enough when no
molested, yet when at bay they wer
antagonists not to be despised. Tn
net was gradually brought in towar
shore, the animals making furiou
a rushes and plunges as they felt the In
> closing wings OF the net. A fatboa
was then pushed up close to the net
!. strong ropes were thrown around on
OF the mantees, and 1t was 80 Tight
!, wrapped up and enveloped that
3. could not move. This was attende
v with considerable danger, and one {
the men received q severe wound
. the thigh from the creatures tusl
a while another was knocked senseles
/. by blow from its huge and powerfr
n tail. Both animals were fnall
: secured, and then by means OF powel
> full tackle lifted on to fats and place
$ In tanks. They were then taken
!. Titusville, shipped thence to Jackson
o vile, and after being exhibited ther
for several days, were forwarded
- New York, there to be sold TO
q menag erie.--Jupitcr Inlet (Fla. Lette