MARBLED SEAL. 143 



ish irregular lines, which formed, especially on the 

 back and flanks, a kind of marbling, which was 

 more marked when the animal was in the water than 

 when it was dry. According to the Baron, the 

 coat, wholly of a blackish-brown, is marked with 

 tortuous and irregular lines of whitish-grey, which 

 form islands or marble spots ; the under part is 

 paler, and its greyish lines are broader and yellower. 

 There are other individuals in which the wlrtish- 

 grey of the abdomen prevails more extensively, 

 mounting up the sides ; and others, again, in which the 

 markings on the back have a resemblance to the eye. 

 The specimen referred to was taken on the coast of 

 France, and was kept several weeks in the Royal 

 Menagerie. M. F. Cuvier observes " Except in 

 some Monkeys, I have never known any wild animal 

 which was more easily tamed, or attached itself 

 more strongly. When it first came to the Jardin 

 des Plantes, it endeavoured to escape, when 1 

 wished to touch it ; but, in a very few days, all its 

 apprehensions vanished : it had discovered my in- 

 tentions, and rather desired my caresses than feared 

 them. It was in the same enclosure with two small 

 dogs, which amused themselves by frequently 

 mounting on its back, with barking, and even bit- 

 ing it ; and, although these sports, and the vivacity 

 of the attending movements, were little in harmony 

 with its own actions and habits, yet it appreciated 

 their motive, and seemed pleased with them. It 

 never offered any other retaliation than slight blows 

 with its paws, the object of which was to encourage 



