INTRODUCTION. 41 



adapted to the water. This will lead to a short 

 elucidation of their Comparative Anatomy, emi- 

 nently exhibiting the workings of creative power. 

 We have also hinted that they are objects of com- 

 mercial and national importance. For them navies 

 float, and the bold seaman penetrates the polar seas, 

 and circumnavigates the globe. To him, therefore, 

 it is an object of deep importance, accurately to 

 Know, and speedily, and certainly, to meet and to 

 capture his prey. This leads to inquiries regarding 

 the resorts of these animals, their habits, their 

 energies, and powers, all of which are curious and 

 interesting. Hence, then, we shall be led to dwell 

 somewhat both on their dispositions and intellectual 

 endowments, whilst we must not overlook the 

 valuable products which lead to their capture, and 

 the whole varied details of the animating adventure. 

 And now we will, in a word, indicate to those 

 who may not have much acquaintance with the 

 subject, that it is one peculiarly beset with difficul- 

 ties, arising chiefly from the retired retreats and 

 habits of the group. We shall do this, however, 

 in other words than our own. " Les phoques," 

 says M. F. Cuvier, in 1826, " sont generalement, 

 des animaux tres peu connues." And Desmarest, 

 " The various species of Phoca are as yet but little 

 known ; the descriptions of travellers, and of most 

 Naturalists, are not sufficiently minute to enable us 

 to distinguish them ; and it is probable that their 

 number is much more considerable than is at pre- 

 sent supposed." (Mam. p. 238.) And, once more, 



