112 NATURAL HISTORY ESSAYS 



thought that this species is at least partly a feeder 

 on shellfish, since an old male obtained on the Pedro 

 Reefs by Mr. Wilkie's party had its teeth nearly 

 worn to stumps, as if by grinding up shells. The 

 short-crowned molars of this animal would be well 

 adapted to act as mills. 



Like its congeners, the West Indian seal is fond 

 of sunning itself on shore, huddling together for the 

 purpose in placid, grunting groups; individuals will 

 also doze on their backs. When alarmed it makes 

 for the water in a hurried scramble, jerking along in 

 zigzag fashion by alternate action of the flippers 

 until it can tumble into the welcome sea. This 

 seal plays in the water like a retriever puppy, 

 ploughing the surface with its pointed muzzle or 

 paddling about in the shallows. The males fight 

 savagely amongst themselves, and old examples 

 may be obtained with hides as disreputably gashed 

 as that of a patriarchial walrus; they are also noisy, 

 snarling and barking like dogs, and snorting when 

 drawing their heads out of water. Perhaps the 

 dark colour of many of these seals is actually 

 protective, instead of the reverse; for though black 

 seals on a white beach would be conspicuous enough, 

 yet should one member of the party become alarmed, 

 his agitated movement would, because of his sable 

 hue, soon catch the eye of his companions, and act 

 as a danger sig-nal for the common welfare. It 

 should also be remembered that when Peron landed 



