OF THE SCOTTISH COASTS. 129 



spotted. The robe is entirely destitute of fur, and 

 is wholly composed of hair which is short, thick set, 

 strong, and hard to the touch. Much about the 

 same time we found in the rich collection of the 

 Edinburgh Royal Museum two other specimens, the 

 markings of whose skins precisely agreed with each 

 other, and with the one just mentioned. These 

 specimens were three feet long, and from their size, 

 and the appearance of their teeth, may with tolerable 

 certainty be concluded to be young. Finally, we 

 have had the pleasure of examining a specimen in 

 the valuable collection of the late Sir Patrick 

 Walker, by whose polite attentions we were much 

 obliged. This animal was captured on the West of 

 Scotland, in the island of Colonsa, at a time when 

 Sir P. was in the neighbourhood ; and he, with that 

 praiseworthy zeal for natural history for which he 

 was distinguished, with much care and ability super- 

 intended its preparation. The first and most pecu- 

 liar character of this species, viz. the position of 

 the teeth, is clearly elucidated in this specimen, and 

 the colouring of the robe perfectly agrees with those 

 already dwelt upon. Its length is five feet three 

 inches. To this we have to add, that Sir Patrick's 

 collection contained another with precisely similar 

 markings, which was also taken at Colonsa, measur- 

 ing about three feet, and probably young. Here 

 then are six Seals, four of which were certainly, and 

 the other two probably, captured on the Scottish 

 shores; they are true vitulinse; the shades of tint 

 and colouring, of great and small, are perfectly 



