150 GREAT SEAL. 



disposed to maintain, in opposition to some lately 

 expressed opinions, that some of " the Great Seals 

 of authors" do probably belong to this species. 

 The opinions here alluded to are founded upon the 

 recent determination of the Genus Halichcerus ; in 

 other words, of the Grey Seal, which would appear 

 to be the prevailing variety in the Southern coast 

 of Ireland ; as it has been found also in the Se- 

 vern, and elsewhere. Some have hence inferred, (as 

 we think, hastily,) that all the Great Seals of our 

 coasts belong to this latter species. The data from 

 which we are induced to demur to this conclusion 

 we do not at present enter upon ; the truth appear- 

 ing to be, that no positive decision can now be 

 reached ; and that the subject requires farther eluci- 

 dation. 



Another and very explicit account of some Great 

 Seal occurring among the Hebrides, together with 

 some interesting particulars concerning its habits, 

 we take from Mr Wilson's paper. " The Western 

 Islands are frequented by three different species of 

 Seal, well known to the natives, and all of which I 

 have repeatedly seen. The Common, or Rawn, as 

 it is called, is by much the most frequent. The 

 second is by much the largest of the three kinds, 

 and at least double the size of the Rawn; it is 

 known by the name of Tapvaist, and though it as- 

 sociates occasionally with the other kinds, yet it 

 differs in many respects in its habits. The third 

 species is of very diminutive size indeed, and is 

 known by the appellation of Bodach, or old man. 



