EXTERNAL CHARACTERS. 235 



life " dull blue-black "). The whiskers are long, slender, and 

 cylindrical, white or brownish- white, and set in four or five 

 rather indistinct rows. Some of the longest have sometimes a 

 length of 500 mm., or about twenty inches, with a maximum thick- 

 ness of 2 nun. They are set in several rows, and number between 

 thirty and forty, increasing in length from the inner ones to the 

 outer, which are longest. The ears are short and pointed, 

 broader, but only half the length of those of the Northern Fur 

 Seal (CallorMnus ursinus). 



The fore feet are large, triangular, situated a little in front of 

 the middle of the body. They terminate in a thick, hard, mem- 

 branous flap, which is slightly and somewhat irregularly in- 

 dented on the inner side. The terminations of the digits are 

 indicated by small circular horny disks or rudimentary nails. 

 The hind feet are broad, and gradually widen from the tarsus, 

 reaching their greatest breadth at the end of the toes. Their 

 length is short as compared to their breadth, the distance be- 

 tween the ends of the outer toes when spread exceeding half 

 of the length of the foot, measured from the tarsal joint. The 

 toes terminate in strong cartilaginous flaps, covered with a 

 thick leathery naked membrane, which is deeply indented oppo- 

 site the intervals between the toes, and serves to connect the 

 diverging digits. The three middle toes are provided with long, 

 well-developed nails ; the outer toes are without true nails, but 

 in place of them are thickened, horny disks. The outer toes 

 are slightly longer than the three middle ones, which are sub- 

 equal. The nails on all the feet are bluish horn-color. 



The following table of external measurements of two males, 

 one very aged and the other adult, both from St. Paul's Island, 

 Alaska, indicates the general proportions of the body. A part 

 were taken from a moist flat skin before stuffing, and the others 

 from mounted skins. 



