Re: [tied] Page of Avesta

04-01-04 10:52, bagoven20 wrote:

> Dugong is more native in the Philippines. In fact it is where it got
> its name.

As a matter of fact, it was already known (under different names) to the
Egyptians, Greeks and Phoenicians (there's some controversy as to
whether it's mentioned in the Bible). It used to be native to all the
coastal areas of the Indian Ocean and its arms, and partly of the West
Pacific (as far to the northeast as the Philippines and Japan). The
modern name is derived from Malay duyung.

> Some thirty years ago it occurs in almost any part of the archipelago
> but now it is in the list of those endangered.
> http://www.fmnh.org/philippine_mammals/Dugong_dugon.htm
>
> In Tagalog it is called "babuy-dagat". The name 'dugong' can also be
> applied to 'dolphins'. It is also the source of
> many 'mermaid/merman/siren myths'.
> http://www.oneocean.org/ambassadors/dugong/
> Are we getting OT?

Well, we are. The original question was about the identification of
animals mentioned in a Late Middle Persian text. I don't think we are
likely to throw more light on that question, so let's finish this thread
(you may post your last thoughts on it if you wish).

Piotr