614 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



THE WEST INDIAN SEAL. 

 ( Monach us trop ica I is. ) 



Toward the end of August, 1494, tlic flotilla of Columbus, who was 

 cruising among the West India Islands iu the vain endeavor of finding 

 a passage to the mythical province of Cipango, became scattered, and 

 in the hope of catching sight of the missing caravels, the admiral came 

 to anchor off the coast of Hayti, and sailors were sent to climb the rocky 

 islet of Altii Vela and scan the horizon for sails. On their return the 

 sailors came upon a band of ''sea wolves" asleep on the sands, and 

 true to the instincts of the white race immediately proceeded to kill 

 them, which they did to the number of eight. The "sea wolves" thus 

 rudely made acquainted with the advent of civilization were specimens 

 of the West Indian seal [Monachus tropical is), this species and its con- 

 gener of the old world {Monachus albiventer) being the only members 

 of the family of earless seals that dwell in warm latitudes. 



The general color of the West Indian seal is umber brown, tinged 

 with gray from the light color of the tips of the hairs. The color be- 

 comes lighter on the sides and the under surface is, in adult individu- 

 als, more or less yellowish white. The newly born young are glossy 

 black, and the coloration varies slightly with age. As in color, so also 

 in its osteology, the West Indian seal presents a few features sag 

 gestive of the otaries, or eared seals, while curiously enough there is 

 an additional suggestion of that family in the animal's movements 

 when on land. As is well known, the earless seals depend almost en- 

 tirely on their fore limbs and abdominal muscles for terrestrial loco- 

 motion, the hind flippers either trailing behind or being held stiffly ex- - 

 tended and clear of the ground. On the other hand the otaries use all 

 four feet in walking, the body being arched so as to completely clear 

 I he ground, while the hind feet are directed outward and slightly for- 

 ward. Progress is effected by drawing the hind feet up to the fore feet 

 and thrusting these forward by straightening the body so that the 

 sea! moves slowly ahead, not unlike a gigantic inch-worm. Now while 

 the West Indian seal does not stand on all fours, the hind feet are 

 brought forward by curving the body upward, when straightening 

 itself the creature pitches ahead on its breast, advancing about a foot 

 by the operation. The teeth of this seal are very powerful and seem 

 quite as well adapted for crushing shells as for capturing fish, though 

 unfortunately the stomachs of all that have been examined were empty 

 and failed to throw any light on the favorite food of the animal. Like 

 other seals the West Indian seal can go for a long time without food, I 

 and one iu the possession of a Mr. Hill died only after a prolonged fast 

 of four months, and even then the animal was very fat. We learn from 

 Mr. Elliott that at the fur-seal rookeries of Alaska the males go three 

 and occasionally four months without eating, although iu their case i 

 they become much emaciated. The West Indian seal is a striking ex- \ 



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