The integuments of the aquatic¹ animals are many in number. Some are covered with a hide and hair, as the sea-calf and hippopotamus², for instance; others again, with a hide only, as the dolphin; others again, with a shell, as the turtle; others, with a coat as hard as a stone, like the oyster³ and other shell-fish; others, with a crust, such as the cray-fish; others, with a crust and spines⁴, like the sea-urchin; others, with scales, as fishes in general; others, with a rough skin, as the squatina, the skin of which is used for polishing wood and ivory; others, with a soft skin, like the mur?na; and others with none at all, like the polypus.

 

Of all aquatic animals the sea-calf is killed with the greatest difficulty, unless the head is cut off at once. It makes a noise which sounds like lowing, whence the name of “sea-calf.” The animals are susceptible⁵, however, of training, and with their voice, as well as by gestures, can be taught to salute⁶ the public; when called by their name, they answer with a discordant⁷ kind of grunt⁸.[132] No animal has a deeper sleep than this; on dry land it creeps along as though on feet, by the aid of what it uses as fins⁹ when in the sea. Its skin, even when separated from the body, is said to retain a certain sensitive sympathy with the sea, and at the reflux of the tide, the hair on it always rises upright: in addition to which, it is said that there is in the right fin¹⁰ a certain soporiferous influence, and that, if placed under the head, it induces sleep.

 

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