WEDDELL'S SEAL. 



25 



which appear dim and shadowy and ill-defined in the old coat, come out with startling 

 contrast in the new. The summer sun undoubtedly plays the greater part in the 

 bleaching, much more than the weathering of the preceding winter months. Weddell's 

 Seal does not appear to shun the water while moulting. 



These changes in coat are, however, distinct from differences due to individual 

 variation. The skins of the present collection may be roughly divided into three types, 

 not one of which is confined to any particular age, sex or locality. 



I. The type in winch the markings of black, white, and intermediate gray are large, 

 bold, and in striking colour contrast. Of such are skins Nos. 35, 47, 49, 56, and 74. 



II. The type in which the markings are all small and narrow, but very al;)undant and 

 distinct, the white and black well contrasted. Of such are skins Nos. 40, 51, and 52. 



III. The type in which the markings are few and indistinct ; and of such are skins 

 Nos. 36, 50, 62, and 72. 



Variations in size are exceedingly common, but may all ])e considered as the result 

 of differing age, not sex. Such differences are exemplified in the measurements of the 

 followincr skins : — 



No. 42, just born, in first week 

 No. 45, in second week 

 No. 86, three weeks old 

 No. 2, about third month 

 No. 51, at end of first year 

 No. 53, in third year probably 

 No. 3, fully adult 



Nuse tip to fail tip. 



4 ft. 10 ins. 



5 ft. 11 ins. 

 (1 ft. 2 ins. 



6 ft. ins. 

 G ft. ins. 



7 ft. 5 ins. 

 1(1 ft. ins. 



In the colouring of the adult Weddell's Seal, perhaps the most typical characteristic 

 is that the palest area is not ventral and median, but lateral or ventro-lateral. The 

 dorsum is typically black ; then comes a dorso-lateral area which is black with a few 

 white streaks or splashes ; then a lateral area in which the white blotches are larger 

 and more abundant ; then a ventro-lateral area in which the white is predominant, and 

 very few darker markings are to be seen ; and lastly, the median ventral area is gray 

 with white spots and streaks or splashes. The tail is, dorsally, the blackest part of all, 

 but has a narrow white border which is constant. 



The gray colour of the head starts round the nostrils and passes backwards to 

 surround the eyes, except for a white superciliary spot over each eye. The gray of 

 the head spreads backwards to include the shoulders and fore flippers, but on the 

 shoulders there are often short and discreet white streaks. The fore flippers are 

 blackish gray above, but whitish on the radial border and ])eneath ; the hind flippers 

 blackish gray above with whitish tibial border, but blackening towards the tips of the 

 digits, which are bordered with a whitish edge, and where the nails are inserted, marked 

 by a few white hairs. The nails are black, as also are the twisted facial bristles in the 

 adult. These show no twist or wave in the young of the first few months. The hair at 

 the corners of the mouth and at the excretory orifices is stained a deep chestnut brown. 



