dugong

The dugong, a marine mammal of the order Sirenia, appears in the narrative as a significant creature of the Red Sea, valued for its meat and the danger it poses to hunters. It is closely related to the manatee, and its presence in these waters provides a memorable episode of hunting and conflict aboard the Nautilus.

Identity and Characteristics

The dugong, also known by the scientific name Dugong dugon and the alternative name halicore, is a large marine mammal that closely resembles a manatee. Its oblong body ends in a very long caudal fin, and its lateral fins are shaped like actual fingers. A key distinguishing feature from the manatee is its upper jaw, which is armed with two long, pointed teeth that form diverging tusks on either side of its head. The dugong belongs to the order Sirenia, a group of marine creatures that legends have transformed into mermaids, half woman and half fish. The specimen encountered by the Nautilus was of colossal dimensions, easily exceeding seven meters in length.

The Hunt in the Red Sea

The dugong is first sighted by Ned Land, the Canadian harpooner, while the Nautilus is navigating the Red Sea. Captain Nemo identifies the animal and, understanding Ned Land's desire to return to his old trade, authorizes a hunt. The captain warns that the dugong is dangerous to attack, as these animals have been known to turn on their assailants and capsize their longboats. He also notes that the dugong's flesh is actual red meat, highly prized and set aside throughout Malaysia for the tables of aristocrats, which further motivates the harpooner. The hunt is conducted from the Nautilus's skiff, with Ned Land armed with a harpoon. The dugong initially proves elusive, disappearing after the first throw and leading a prolonged chase. The animal eventually turns to attack the skiff, ramming it and lifting it out of the water with its teeth, throwing the occupants into a heap. The struggle ends only when Ned Land, with a final, powerful thrust, pierces the dugong to the heart. The animal's body, weighing 5,000 kilograms, is hoisted onto the Nautilus's platform and carved up. The flesh is served at dinner that same day, and Professor Aronnax finds it excellent, even better than veal if not beef.

Significance and Thematic Role

The dugong serves as a key example of the Nautilus's self-sufficient world, where the sea provides all necessities, including fresh meat. The hunt also highlights the tension between Ned Land's primal instincts as a hunter and Captain Nemo's more complex relationship with the natural world. While Nemo permits the hunt for sustenance, he later refuses to allow the slaughter of baleen whales for sport, drawing a clear distinction between killing for need and killing for pleasure. The dugong episode thus underscores the novel's exploration of humanity's place within the natural order and the ethics of hunting. The creature's formidable size and dangerous counterattack also reinforce the constant presence of peril in the underwater world, a world where even a seemingly simple hunt can become a life-or-death struggle.