THE COMMON SEAL. 



175 



distinct species, according to Nilsson, having been in- 

 cluded under that denomination, viz. Ph. variegata, Ph. 

 annellata^ and Ph. leporina. To the first of" these the 

 term vitulina is really applicable, and the term variegata^ 

 given by Nilsson, must be abandoned. The common 

 seal is found along the shores of temperate Europe, and 

 is common on many parts of the Scottish coast, and also 

 of those of England and Ireland. It is gregarious in its 

 habits, and haunts caverns and recesses among the rocks, 

 to which the females retire to breed. The young are 

 generally two in number, and the mother nurses them 

 with great assiduity and affection, taking them out to sea 

 very early. When surprised basking on the shore, 

 which the seal often does, luxuriating in the sun, its first 



115.— Skull of Seal. 



effort is to make for the water ; but, if intercepted, it 

 shows fight, and with a growl turns on its adversary, 

 who, unless he avoid the attack, is in some danger, for 

 the animal has great power and weight (often two hun- 

 dred and twenty-four pounds) : having overset its anta- 

 gonist, it shuffles to the water, and there disappears. 

 AH are familiar with Sir Walter Scott's humorous narra- 

 tive of Hector Maclntyre's discomfiture by a " phoca." 

 ('The Antiquary.') The voice of the seal is a gruff 

 grunt, not unlike that of a pig, but when wounded it 

 often utters a peculiar moaning sound. These animals 

 are sagacious and watchful, and while half-slumbering 

 on the beach their customary caution seldom leaves them, 



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