Rhytina,

Rhytina, a genus of Sirenia, akin to the dugong and manatee, of which only one species has been made known—the Rhytina stelleri, discovered by Behring and the naturalist Steller when they were wrecked on Behring Island in 1741, and described very fully by Steller. At that date they were extremely plentiful in this part of the northern Pacific, but were soon almost extirpated by the Russian hunters and traders. Nordenskiöld's inquiries led him to believe that individuals were seen till the middle of the 19th century. The species was distinguished by its large size, sluggishness, and its having horny plates in place of teeth. The skin was rough and hairless. The Vega expedition brought home many skeletons.