504 THE SEA LEOPARD. 
The true Seals are found only in the sea, and at the mouths of various large rivers, 
and are wonderfully abundant in the polar regions. None of them are known to inhabit 
the tropical parts of the earth. Several species have been known to occur upon our own 
shores, more especially on the more northern coasts, and the common Seal, Phoca vitulina, 
is found in great numbers around the northern British shores. 
The teeth of the Seals are very remarkable, and admirably adapted for seizing and 
retaining the slippery prey. The canine teeth are long, sharp and powerful, and the molar 
teeth are covered with long and sharp points of various sizes, so that when once caught 
in the gripe of these formidable weapons, there is but scant hope of escape for the fish. 
The Seals are not very prolific animals; the number of their young family being 
seldom more than two, and often restricted to a single offspring. As the young Seals 
would be unable, during the earlier portion of their existence, to battle with the sea 
waves, and to cling firmly to their parent while she afforded them their needful nourish- 
ment, the mother Seal retires to the shores when she is called upon to take upon herself 
the pleasing cares of maternity, and cherishes her young for a season on land, before 
she ventures to commit them to the waves. 
Owing to the excessive shyness of disposition which characterize the Seals, and the 
wary caution with which they retire from the sight of mankind, their domestic habits are 
very little known. Indeed, were it not that many specimens of the common Seal had 
been captured and tamed, we should have but little information on the manners or the 
habits of those curious animals. There are many species of Seals, which have been 
separated into various genera by different authors upon different grounds. Some, for 
example, found the generic distinction upon the absence or presence of external ears, 
others from the incisor teeth, and others from the molars and the general character 
of the skull. 
SEA LEOPARD.—Léptonyx Weddéllii. 
The SEA LEOPARD, or LEOPARD SEAL, is distinguishable from the other Seals by 
means of its comparatively slender neck, and the wider gape of its mouth, which opens 
further backward than is generally the case among these animals. The body is rather 
curiously formed, being slender at the neck and largest towards the middle, from whence 
it tapers rapidly to the short and inconspicuous tail. 
_ _ The fore-paws are without any projecting membrane, and are largest at the thumb- 
joint, diminishing gradually to the last joint. The claws are sharp and curved, and rather 
deeply grooved ; their colour is black. The hind-feet are devoid of claws and projecting 
membrane, and bear some resemblance to the tail-fin of a fish. The colour of this Seal is 
generally a pale grey on the upper portions of the body, relieved with a number of pale 
