Scottish National Antarctic Expedition : Observations on the Anatomy of the 

 Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes Weddelli). By David Hepburn, M.D., Professor of 

 Anatomy, University College, Cardiff (University of Wales). (Witli One Plate.) 



(MS. received February 22, 1909. Issued separately May -2'>, 1909.) 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The anatomy of all marine mammals presents an inlcn'-t ing field of observation 

 upon their structural adaptation to a particular environment, and naturally, therefore, 

 an extensive literature already exists in respect to these mammals, notwithstanding tin- 

 many difficulties connected with their detailed examination. Their large size and the 

 rapidity with which their tissues undergo decomposition have been serious obstacles in 

 the way of prolonged dissection both of Cetacea and of Seals. Consequently, the 

 examination of many parts of their anatomy has, of necessity, been more or less hurried. 

 Accordingly, in the course of the preparations for the Scottish Antan-tie. Kxpedilion, 

 led by W. S. BRUCE, LL.D., etc., arrangements were made for the preservation of 

 mammalian specimens by the same injection methods that arc now eommonlv used for 

 the practical study of human anatomy, and the medical ollicer to the Kxpedition 

 received practical instruction from myself in the application of these method-. 



The animal now under consideration was preserved in the following manner : One 

 of the vessels between two of the toes on a hind Hipper was opened and a fine canula 

 inserted. Through this, a quantity of an arsenical preservative, containing glycerine, 

 was introduced under gravitation, and to-day the tissues are as soft and free from 

 putrefaction as they were on the day the creature was killed. 



The animal is a young male Weddell seal (Leptonychotes HW</.-///'), one of the 

 earless seals. It was born on or before the 29th of August 1903, and was killed by 

 hydrocyanic acid on the 31st of August 1903, and immediately injected with the pre- 

 servative solution. 



Its dimensions are as follows : 



From tip of snout to cud of tail . . f> 1 . J . ins. 



i) it ,, hind flipper . (id. 1 . ,, 



; , ,, fore-limb . 13 ,, 



,, ,, genital aperture . 39 



From genital aperture to anus . 8 



anus to tip of tail .... -U 



Interorbital width . . . . "> ,. 



Axillary and greatest girth . ."4.1 



Kurt; flipper: 



Length on outer edge . . . . .11.'.,, 



Stretch (expanded) ..... ".', 



(REPRINTED FROM THE TKANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAI. SCK-II:TY K Ki>i.\nrnt;>i. VOL. xi.vn., IT. :>7 c:: j 







