SEALS AND WHALES OF THE BRITISH SEAS. 27 



been obtained in the Orkneys. Mr. Howard Saunders was assured that the 

 " Bladder-nose " is well-known as a visitor to the Vae Skerries, Shetland 

 (Alston's 'Mammalia of Scotland,' p. 15); and a Seal supposed to be of 

 this species was seen off the Irish coast near Westport. In Hollingshed's 

 'Chronicles,' in the year 1577, sundry fishes of monstrous shape, with cowls 

 on their heads like monks, and in the rest resembling the body of a man, are 

 said to have occurred in the Firth of Forth (Bell's ' Brit. Quads.'), the 

 appearance of which was of course followed by pestilence and famine. 

 Throughout the Polar seas this species is widely distributed, being found in 

 the Greenland seas, Iceland, and Spitzbergen, also occasionally in the 

 temperate waters of Europe and America. It is polygamous and migratory 

 in its habits : during the rutting season it is very pugnacious, and Dr. Brown 

 says great battles take place between the males, and their roaring is said to 

 be so loud that it can be heard for miles off. The young, which are born in 

 April, are pure white at first, which changes to grey, and gradually becomes 

 darker till it assumes the adult colour and markings, which it appears to do 

 about the fourth year ; the colour then is " dark chestnut or black, with a 

 greater or less number of round or oval markings of a still deeper hue." The 

 adult is furnished with a curious bladder-like appendage, commencing at the 

 nostrils, with which it is connected, and continued upwards to the forehead : 

 this, when inflated, presents a very remarkable appearance ; when the animal 

 is at rest it remains flaccid, but when irritated or excited, it is blown up to its 

 full extent. It is generally believed that the "bladder" is found only in 

 the male, but Dr. Brown does not think there is any just ground for this 

 belief; he does not, however, assign any reason for doubting what has been 

 positively asserted to be the case. The Bladder-nose Seal is fierce in its 

 nature and dangerous to attack ; although not actually taking the initiative 

 it is always ready for battle, and will avail itself of any advantage by 

 turning upon and following its opponent. The air-bladder, which is placed 



