48 Live Seal. — Animal of the Argonaut. 



the awkwardness arising from the extreme disparity in the 

 length of the anterior and posterior extremities. The hair 

 on the head is all directed forwards ; in the Chimpanzee it 

 radiated from a centre. 



Mr. Owen also remarked that the thumbs of the lower ex- 

 tremities were devoid of nails, and that the animal had the de- 

 ciduous series of teeth in use ; viz. 2 canines and 4 grinders 

 in each jaw. 



Another object at this time alive in the Society's collection 

 is a tame seal ; which, from the grotesque singularity of its 

 movements when on land, and the general intelligence and 

 docility the creature evinces, proves a source of considerable 

 amusement and interest to the visitors. This animal was 

 captured somewhere on the eastern coast, and brought up the 

 river Orwell ; where it fell into the hands of a small innkeeper 

 at Ipswich, who contrived, for the first few weeks, to keep it 

 alive by forcing flour down its throat, as it obstinately refused 

 to take any food of its own accord. In a short time however 

 it became reconciled to its new condition, and devoured fish 

 most voraciously, eating 30 or 40 small flounders in a day. — 

 Its favourite mode of taking them was in a tub of salt w r ater, 

 in which it was allowed to bathe. A small straw sty was 

 erected for it in the inn-yard ; but when first seen by us, the 

 creature was lying outside the house door, a place which it 

 always occupied when left to follow its own inclination. Al- 

 though it followed persons with whom it was familiar, like a 

 dog, it was not safe to play with it, since it was apt to snap 

 at the hands, even of its owner, but apparently more from a na- 

 tural propensity than from a vicious disposition. When seized 

 by the tail, and raised from the ground, it was utterly helpless, 

 having apparently not even the power to struggle, in that po- 

 sition. A spacious yard, with a pond in the centre, which is 

 replenished every two or three days, with salt water, has been 

 appropriated to its use, in the gardens, and it is supplied with 

 fresh fish every day. Several Seals have, at various times 

 been in the Society's possession, but three or four weeks have 

 been the average duration of the time they have been kept a- 

 live. The present one has been a prisoner five months, and 

 appears as brisk as if just taken from its native element. 



Question of the parasitic nature of the Animal found in 

 the Argonaut. — Within the last few weeks we have had the 

 pleasure of receiving a visit from Madame Jeannette Power, 

 the lady to whom M. M. Dumeril and de Blainville refer in 

 their Report of a Notice by M. Rang, respecting the Animal 

 of the Argonaut. [Mag. Nat. Hist. v. i. N. s. pp. 393 & 526). 



