580 



PHOCA VITULINA HARBOR SEAL. 



A curious mistake made by Peale in liis (supiiressed) report 

 on tbe Mammals and Birds of tlie United States Exploring Ex- 



Fig. 44. " HaliclicEins antarcticiis", Peale^Phoca vitulina, f natural size. 



pedition under Commodore Wilkes has played an imi)ortant 

 role in the technical history of the species. A specimen (skin 



Fig. 45. " Halichceriis antarcticus", Peale=P]ioca vitulina, f natural size. 



and skull,* still extant in the National Museum) was described 

 under the name Halichcerus antarcticus, v,'ith. the remark, "This 



* This skull (No. | Ht; Nat. Mus. ) is represented in Figs. 44-47, four- 

 sevenths natural size. 



