Mermaids And Mermen

The dugong, a species of whale found abundantly in the watera of both the great oceans, but especially off the coast of Australia, in the Pacific, is believed to have f urnished the slender basis npon which all mermaids and mennen stories tiave been founded. lts averaga length is from eight to twenty feet. It has a tiead much resembling that of the human species, and breathes by means of lungs. It feeds upon submarine beds of seaweeds, and when wounded raakes a noise like a mad buil. Long hair in the female species, and hair and beard in the male, add to the human resemblance of the head and neck. The flesh of this species of whale is used f or food, and is said to have the flavor of bacon, mutton or beef according to the parts of the body from which the meat is taken. -