Thames Seals. 25 



IV.-WHALES, FOOD-FISHES, CRUS- 

 TACEA, SHELL-FISH, &c. 



THE marine animals and plants referred to in this section 

 are mainly those having material connection with fishery in- 

 terests, whether directly or indirectly. It is but an enumera- 

 tion, with remarks on such forms as have come under our obser- 

 vation, or we have authentic information regarding from others. 

 A more complete account of the sea-objects within our Fisheries 

 District is a desideratum ; but at present this is out of reach, for 

 many of the lower groups have as yet scarcely been touched on 

 by the naturalists of Kent and Essex. No matter how appa- 

 rently insignificant the living things, what they lack in size 

 is made up in numbers. Moreover, the food of the early 

 stages of the young flat-fish are some of these self-same minute 

 pelagic organisms. Though the latter are more deserving of 

 attention as concerns fishery, nevertheless we give precedence 

 to seals and whales, as creatures with lungs (not gills), respiring 

 air, though otherwise adapted to an aquatic life. 



SEALS AND WHALES. 



The Seals ( = faci. Phocidce) (L) The COMMON SEAL (PJioca 

 vituUna) may be regarded as the most likely species to be 

 encountered along our coasts and estuaries. Ordinarily the 

 fishermen do not capture them in their nets ; more often they 

 succumb to the gun of the sportsman. The old Leighmen say, 

 so far as their recollection goes, that every other year an odd 

 seal would make its appearance in the fall of year, and hang 

 about for some time, unless misfortune befel it. 



Such certainly has been the case for the last few years back. 

 A favourite haunt has been the sandy bays and spits of Canvey 

 Island. It has been observed that as the tide flows the seal 

 follows the flood and fishes up and down the Leigh or Hadleigh 

 Ray. At ebb it goes out with the tide, and reverts to its chief 

 quarters outside Canvey. Its whereabouts is generally made 



