OGMORHINUS. 129 
calf only is commonly brought forth, and the period of gestation 
is said to range from nine to nearly twelve months. Seals are 
greatly attracted by musical sounds, and in one instance the 
writer can personally vouch for a Seal /Phoca vitulina), which, 
by the simple medium of whistling was induced to follow his boat 
to and from the fishing grounds for several days in succession, 
the animal frequently rising within an oar’s length of the boat ; 
strange to say it never attempted to seize any of the fish (mostly 
Cod and Ling) as they came up on the hook, though it was seen 
to hunt the small Sharks (Acanthias vulgaris and Galeus vulgaris ) 
which at that season infested the waters ; this occurred on the 
North Coast of Ireland. The food of Seals does not consist so 
greatly of fishes as is generally supposed, molluscs, crustaceans, 
and medusz being staple articles in their diet, with an occasional 
bird thrown in asa bonne bowche. Some species, such as the 
Bearded Seal (Hrignathus barbatus ), and the Ringed Seal (Phoca 
fetida), neither of which are to any extent migratory, are said 
to feed almost exclusively on small crustaceans, chiefly of the 
genus Gammarus. 
Various theories have been adduced as to the remarkable power 
which permits these warm-blooded, air-breathing mammals to 
remain under water for the space of, according to different 
authorities, from eight to twenty minutes, but, Mr. Allen pro- 
perly remarks, “ none of these theories seem satisfactory.” 
Genus II].—OGMORHINUS, Pefers (1875). 
Molar teeth separated from one another, with distinct pointed 
cusps, the middle cusp being the largest and slightly recurved. 
Muzzle compressed and elongated. 
Dentition.—I. 3 C. ES M. 2 x 2 = 32. 
Note.—F. Cuvier’s name, Stenorhynchus, having been pre- 
viously employed by Latreille for a genus of Coleopterous Insects, 
it becomes necessary to adopt the term proposed by Dr. Peters. 
1. OamorHINUS LEPTONYX, Blainville, sp. (1820). 
Sea Leopard. 
Above ashy-gray with large spots and patches of yellowish- 
white, or greenish-gray shading into creamy-white on the sides 
which are blotched and spotted with black. Throat and belly 
grayish- or yellowish-white, with or without small dark spots. 
Dimensions.—Total length up to ten feet ; sexes not markedly 
different in size. 
{I 
