98 CLASSIFICATION. 



left to perish, or drag out for years a most p eca- 

 rious and wretcned existence. 



On the subject of classification we mean not to 

 enter into any extended statements. The Amphi- 

 bious is the third tribe, of the third family, Car- 

 nivora, of the third order Carnassiers of Baron 

 Cuvier ; and comprehends the \Valrus and the 

 Seals, a very natural group, which has been desig- 

 nated the Phocacious group, or the Phocacea 

 Originally all the Seals were included under one 

 genus ; but as their number, and ascertained dif- 

 ferences, increased, it was suggested by Buifon that 

 they should be divided into two groups ; it having 

 been observed that some of them had no external 

 ears, whilst others were possessed of these appen- 

 dages. Peron earned this suggestion into execu- 

 tion, and proposed the term Otary for the latter 

 division, in w r hich he has been followed by most 

 Naturalists, and amongst others by Baron Cuvier, 

 who remarks " The Otaries of Peron differ in 

 several particulars from the Seals properly so called, 

 independently of the small conchae at their ears." 

 This distinction accordingly will be observed in the 

 following pages. M. F. Cuvier, after having very 

 carefully re-examined the group, and finding some 

 marked differences in the dental apparatus, proposed 

 a new arrangement, grounded mainly thereupon. 

 He demonstrated that the Seals may be divided 

 into many generic groups, characterized by organic 

 modifications, not less marked than those which 

 distinguish the most natural genera ; and added, 



