FAUXA AMERICANA. 105 



Caecum small. 



Habit. Aquatic, visiting the land only for the 

 purpose of copulation, or to bring forth and 

 suckle their young; swimming and plunging 

 with great facility; feeding upon fish, molusca, 

 and sea grass ; having the organs of vision con- 

 structed for a residence in deep w aters ; sense of 

 hearing not delicate; that of taste perfect; that 

 of touch obtuse, by reason of the thick layer of 

 fat which surrounds the animal ; but the sense of 

 smell is exquisite. 



They travel and live in numerous troops, the 

 greatest harmony prevailing amongst them, ex- 

 cept during the rutting season, when the males 

 engage in furious combats, disputing the posses- 

 sion of females ; the latter bring forth once a year, 

 one or two at a birth, which they nourish and 

 bring up with the greatest care. 



Inhabit all seas, especially the Polar, the Medi- 

 terranean, the Caspian, and it is said the Lake 

 Baikal, the waters of which are fresh. 



Sub- Genus. 



1. Phoca^ Peron. 



Characters. No external ears ; incisors simply 

 cutting; molars cutting, and with many points; 

 toes of the hind feet terminated by pointed nails 

 placed on the borders of the membrane which 

 unites them. 



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