154 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



in its master's house and ate from his hand. In his fishing 

 excursions this gentleman generally took it v ith him, upon 

 which occasions it afforded no small entertainment. When 

 thrown into the water, it would follow for miles the track of the 

 boat, and although thrust back by the oars, it never relinquished 

 its purpose ; indeed, it struggled so hard to regain its seat that 

 one would imagine its fondness for its master had entirely 

 overcome the natural predilection for its native element." 



From the value of its skin, and the amount of oil yielded by 

 its fat, this Seal is much hunted by fishermen, which has re- 

 sulted in the diminution of its numbers already alluded to. 

 Although the flesh of the adult is dark-coloured and somewhat 

 rank, that of the young is tender and by no means unpalatable. 

 Unless killed outright by the first shot, when in the water, they 

 are liable to be lost, as they dive immediately on being struck, 

 and are seldom seen again. Moreover, even if killed, unless 

 the boat is rowed up speedily and the body secured, it will 

 likewise be lost, as a dead Seal, more especially if it be in poor 

 condition, immediately sinks to the bottom. 



n. RINGED SEAL. PHOCA HISPIDA. 



Phoca /lispida, Schreber, Saugethiere vol. iii. pi. 86 (?i776); 



Bell, British Quadrupeds, 2nd ed. p. 247 (1874). 

 Phoca fcctida^ Fabricius, in Miillei's Zool. Dan. Prodr. p. 8 



(1766); without description, and the name subsequently 



withdrawn by its author. 

 Phoca aniiuUala^ Nilsson, Skandinav. Fauna, p. 362 (1820). 

 Callocephalus discolor^ F. Cuvier, Diet. Sci. Nat. vol. xxxix., p. 



545 (1826). 

 Pagomys fcEtidus, Gray, Cat. Seals and Whales Brit. Mus. p. 



23 (1866). 



Characters. — Very similar in external appearance to the last, 

 but of somewhat smaller size, and the colour of the upper 



