NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 53 



by exhibiting the drawing to the natives, at length found one man 

 who knew where it grew. His master, who had shown me many 

 acts of kindness, allowed him to go and search for it, and, after 

 two or three days, he returned, saying he found the plant growing 

 in a stream of water, but could not get it, owing to the number of 

 crocodiles in the stream. At last, however, the man brought me 

 many fine plants, and I was happy to reward him for his 

 trouble." 



Professor Walker Arnott also made some observations to the 

 members on the foregoing species. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. — On the occurrence of the Harp Seal (Phoca Grcenlandica) in Loch 

 Tarhert, Jura, with remarks on the habits of some other species 

 frequenting the Western Islands. By Mr Henry D. Graham, 

 Lochgilphead, Corresponding Member. Read by the Secretary. 



Mr Graham had seen three of these rare visitors to British 

 waters in the above-named locality, while exploring the loch in 

 company with a friend. The seals were observed among a herd 

 of the common species, occupying a series of shelving rocks about 

 300 or 400 yards off shore. One of the keepers, who was of the 

 party, having an excellent telescope used in stalking deer, Mr 

 Graham and his friends could distinctly make out the markings 

 which characterise the harj) seal; and as the animals remained in 

 full view for three hours, constantly watched, the utmost care was 

 taken to note down the necessary particulars for after discrimi- 

 nation. Since observing these animals, Mr Graham, after 

 repeated inquiries, satisfied himself of at least other three 

 authentic cases of the capture of white seals of extraordinary size, 

 one of these occurring in Loch Scridan, Mull, under the obser- 

 vation of Mr M'Kinnon; and as a result of these inquiries, he had 

 besides acquired some highly interesting information respecting 

 the habits of the larger species of seal to be found on the outer 

 islands. These he communicated in his excellent paper, from 

 which it would appear that, under the name of Tapvaist or Tabeist, 

 the islanders are familiar with at least three different species 

 attaining a large size. Last spring he had received from a friend 

 — a native of the Hebrides — the skin of a recently-killed young 

 seal of about a month old. It was pure white, and measured four 

 feet in length without the flippers. This skin was accompanied 



