IN THE SHETLANDS 341 
ruped that is more like a fish excel the one that is 
less so? But, instead of this, we see here the more 
generalised form excelling the more specialised one, 
not only in doing two things well, or fairly well, 
instead of only one, but also in the better doing of 
the one thing wherein the other ought, theoretically, 
to surpass it, as though it were at once more general- 
ised and more specialised. This seems une étrange 
affaire. No doubt it is to be explained without con- 
troverting evolutionary doctrines. Indeed, I think 
I might hammer out some explanation, if it were not 
my cue, just now, to be very much astonished. The 
true seal, or phoca—phoca vitulina, as it 1s called, phoca 
Antiquarius as 1 would call it—ought, in my now 
mood, to be quicker and more agile in the water than 
the otaria—the sea-bear, or lion. But it is not; it is 
beaten—at least, if I may trust my memory—by its 
less specialised brother. This is what—just for the 
present—I am determined, oh ye puffins, not to be 
able to understand. 
