MAMMALIA. 417 



diet consisiing partly of flesh and partly of vegetaLles. In the 

 seals, which are aquatic caruivora, the body is iish-shaped, and 

 the extremities ai*e modified in form, and present the appearance 

 of paddles, fitted to propel the animals with velocity through the 

 water, in pursuit of their finny prey. 



The order presents, therefore, great diversity of form among 

 its members, and includes a considerable number of species. 

 They amount, according to Berghalis and Johnston, to 239, 

 which are widely distributed, but are in general most abundant 

 in tropical countries. They have been arranged in five families. 



I. Phocidcs.— The first is that of the Seals (Fig. 32G). 



Fig. 32G.— Seal. 



Like the cetacea, they are warm-blooded mammalia, living in 

 the sea ; but they are at once distinguished from them by the 

 absence of the broad, flat, horizontal tail, the presence of the 

 four fin-shaped feet, and other peculiarities. Their great haunt 

 is the sea of the arctic regions, and the fishery, for so it is 

 termed, is one of great value, both for the oil and the skins. 

 The number of Seals annually taken has been estimated at the 

 extraordinary number of one million.* 



Four species ai'e known on the coasts of these countries.f 

 The most common (Phoca vitulina) appears to be of a docile 

 and gentle disposition ; its most usual length is from four to 

 five feet. Other species are said to attain a length of fourteen 

 or fifteen feet. 



in that manner. The cat and others walk on the extremities of the toes, and 

 are hence grouped under the term Digilic/rade, Lat. digitus, a finger ; gradus, 

 a step. 



• Berghaus and Johnston's Physical Atlas. 



t For details respecting their appearance and habits, tide Professor 

 Bell's British Quadrupeds : R. Ball on the Phocidjc of the Irish Seas. 

 Transactions of the Royal Irish .\cademy, 1838. We would add Maxwell's 

 Wild Sports of the West. Those wiio have read Sir Walter Scott's 

 Antiqu.iry do not require to be reminded of* the encounter of Hector 

 MTnt\Te and the " Phoca." 



