272 URIGNE SEAL. 



short and blunt: in the mouth are six cutting- 

 teeth above, and four below : the fore feet have 

 four toes inclosed in a membranaceous sheath, so 

 as to resemble fins; and the hind feet are hid in a 

 continuation of the skin of the back, and have 

 five toes of unequal length like the fingers of the 

 human hand: the tail is three inches long: the 

 skin is covered with two sorts of hair; one like 

 that of an ox, the other harder : the colours are 

 various. These animals are the Sea Wohes men- 

 tioned by navigators off the island of Lobos, near 

 the River Plata. They are said to appear there 

 in vast multitudes, and to meet the ships, and 

 even to hang at the ship's side by their paws, 

 seeming to stare at and admire the crew: then 

 drop off and return to their former haunts. The 

 natives of Chili kill them for the sake of their 

 oil. 



In enumerating the species of Seals, we have 

 chiefly followed Mr. Pennant; but it may perhaps 

 be doubted whether some of these animals may 

 not rather be considered as varieties than as truly 

 distinct species. 



