30 SoiitJiern Cross. 



thrown overboard from the ' Belgica.' Mr. Bruce too states that " the 

 Penguin is also occasionally the victim of the Seal, and I have 

 found stones in their stomachs. These stones are probably part of the 

 geological collection which the penguins are accustomed to carry 

 about with them. Nematode worms were almost invariably present 

 in the stomachs." 



There can be little doubt that the formidable dental armature of 

 this species finds its use, as I have already suggested, in the capture 

 of prey of a stouter character than that which suits the more 

 moderate appetite of Lobodon and Onimato2')hoca. 



Mr. Bruce states that while " all the Seals were obtained from 

 the pack-ice, in bluest and clearest water," the Leopard-Seal 

 frequented " the outermost streams, and was most frequently found 

 singly, but sometimes in pairs or threes, on one piece of ice." That 

 it occasionally occurs on the pack-ice in very great numbers is 

 evident from the statement of Mr. Bruce that " on the last day of 

 sealing we were among a great host of the larger Sea-Leopards, and 

 as we were returning to the ship they were moaning loudly." 



External appearance. —The Leopard-Seal justly deserves its 

 name, since it bears more spots upon its body than any other 

 species of Seal. In the single specimen brought home by the 

 ' Southern Cross ' the spots extend all over the body, and Dr. Eacovitza 

 says that the colour of the coat is " gris fonce, mouchete de taches 

 jaunes." 



The animal is, moreover, readily distinguishable by the great 

 size of its elongated body. The longest measured by Mr. Bruce 

 attained to a length of over 13 feet (= 3900 millimetres) and the 

 species gained the name of " serpent " from the sailors. 



The single specimen brought home by the ' Southern Cross ' was 

 immature. The dimensions of the flat skin were as follows : — 



Total length measured from tip of nose to end of tail 

 Length of fore-flippei's, ..... 



Cireatest bread til of fore-flipi)ers .... 

 Length of hind-flijipers measured along outer edge . 

 Length of hind-flippers measured along centre to 



base of lobes ....... 9*5 „ 247 



Tlie flippers were in each case completely clothed with hair. 

 The fore-flippers were proportionately narrower and longer than those 

 of either of the other Antarctic species. There are five claws 

 on the hind-flippers. I could find only one rudimentary claw. 

 It is probable that in regard to the number and size of the 



