CAKNIVOHA : SEALS. 



93 



The carnivorous mammals which have their locomotive 

 organs paddle-like or fin-like, and which have their home 



FIG. 96. 



Skeleton of a Seal. 



DC, cervical vertebras ; vd, dorsal vertebras ; rf, lumbar vertebras ; vs, sacral verte- 

 brae or sacrum ; vq, caudal vertebras ; c, ribs ; s, sternum; o, scapula ; fi,humerus ; 

 r, radius ; ca, carpus ; me, metacarpus ; pit, phalanges ; p, pelvis ; /, femur ; r, ro- 

 tula.; t, tibia : ta, tarsus ; ml, metatarsus. 



in the sea, are called PINNIPEDS or Pinnigrades, as stated 

 on page 81. They are the Seals and the "Walrus. 



The Eared-Seals or Otariadse named from the Greek 

 otus, an ear have a rather stout body and distinct ex- 

 ternal ears. Their fore limbs are situated far back, and 

 the digits are destitute of nails. The hind feet have the 

 toes of nearly equal length, and terminated with long, 

 cartilaginous flaps, and the three middle toes are provided 

 with nails. The dental formula is, incisors ^?, canines ^ 

 molars ^ or ~_. This family has its principal representa- 

 tives in the Pacific Ocean. Some of its members, as the 

 Northern Fur-Seal or Northern Sea-Bear, are seven .or 

 eight feet long, and attain a weight of five to seven hun- 

 dred pounds ; and others, as the Sea-Lion, are twelve or 

 thirteen feet long, and attain a weight of eighteen hun- 

 dred pounds ! The " Sea-Bear " yields the highly prized 

 seal fur. 



