the Island of Tristan da Cunha, $c. 495 
sect belonging to the old genus Cancer. Several species of Co- 
rallina are common on the rocks. 
Two species of the Seal are the only quadrupeds on the island 
that can be considered as strictly indigenous, the wild goats and 
hogs having been introduced subsequently to its discovery by the 
Europeans. 
The Bottle-nosed Seal, or Sea-lion (Phoca Leonina). The colour 
of this animal is blueish-gray along the back, approaching to white 
on the belly. It sheds its hair once a year, which falls off in 
large irregular patches, and gives the animal at that season a 
most ragged and uncouth appearance. The full-grown male mea- 
sures from twenty to twenty-five feet in length, and yields seventy 
gallons of oil. ‘The female is considerably smaller. When irri- 
tated it has a curious manner of protruding its snout, and infla- 
ting the skin over its nose ; but there is nothing like the crest with 
which the head of this animal is ornamented in Shaw’s Zoology. 
The whole figure is in truth a complete caricature, without the 
slightest resemblance to the original. 
These animals pass thie-grcater-part-of their time ashore, never 
quitting it unless when disturbed, or when, urged by hunger, they 
repair to the reef to feed on the sea-weed. They may be seen in 
hundreds lying asleep along the sandy beach or concealed among 
the long Spartina grass which borders the sea-shore. ‘These huge 
animals are so little apprehensive of danger, that they must be 
kicked or pekat with stones before they make any effort to move 
out of one's way. When roused from their slumber they raise the 
fore part of their body, open wide their mouth, and display a 
formidable set of tusks, but never attempt to bite. Should this 
however fail to intimidate their disturbers, they set themselves at 
length in motion, and makefor the water; butstill with such de- 
liberation, that on an expedition we once made to the opposite 
side 
