NOTES ON THE ANATOMY OF A SEAL—SOMMERS. 159 
measured when distended about 14 inches in length, by 
about 54 in width. There is a permanent constriction at the 
junction of the middle with the pyloric third due to the muscu- 
lar fibres dividing the organ into two imperfect cavities. The 
intestines measured in length 42 feet, 3inches; diameter, about 
# of an inch. Mucous membrane of both stomach and intestines, 
desquamating, was not examined microscopically. There were 
‘no valvule in the intestines. The stomach, &e., contained 
shrimps, partly digested herrings and bones. The liver had so 
far decomposed, its dissection or exatnination was rendered 
impracticable, no gall bladder was observed, although some 
attention was given to its discovery. The spleen and pancreas 
were not noticed; the kidneys were moderate in size; the uri- 
nary bladder small, oval shaped ; ureters much larger, “ thrice,” 
than in man; urethra measured from neck of bladder to tip of 
penis about thirty inches. The animal was a young male; the 
generative organs small. The penis was contained in a sheath 
or pouch of the integument of the abdomen, this sheath extends 
from the vent upwards towards the umbillicus, enclosing 
the organ so completely that a superticial glance would lead to 
the supposition of its being entirely absent. The penis is pro- 
vided with a long bone, situated or in connection with the 
corpora cavernosa; the diameter in this young animal being about 
that of an ordinary lead pencil. The testicles are within the 
abdominal cavity. The spermatic cords and vessels on either 
side pass through a very long abdominal canal, with internal 
and external rings, as in man. ‘They pass up the abdominal 
wall to join the root of the penis. The testicles contained no 
spermatozoa. The penis could be made to protrude from its 
abdominal sheath. 
Any remarks which I am inclined to make in reference to the 
seal will refer only to the organs of progression, and taking the 
evidence afforded by their anatomical structure, it is easy to 
draw the following conclusion, viz.: so far as the two pairs are 
concerned, their uses are entirely different. The shortness and 
restricted movements of the anterior extremities renders them 
but of little moment in swimming. The great osseous and mus- 
