ABSTRACT
1 THE sea-cow is a large monster, strong, ill-tempered, and violent. She I bears young resembling herself, not more than two at a time and usually only one, which she loves deeply and conducts attentively to wherever she swims through the sea or directs her steps on land. Her pregnancy lasts ten months. Finally, it was once proved by the amputation of its tail, that this animal had lived for 130 years. 1 The nature of the sea-calf has been partially discussed in earlier chapters, but here just one more fact may be added: no worse predator on herring exists among aquatic animals. It comes up to the nets in which herring are held fast, caught behind the gills or some other part of their body, and devours them one after another, till few are left suspended there. 2
