148 Lloyd's natural history. 



It may be mentioned that, like all the other British species, 

 the Grey Seal has no under-fur, and therefore does not yield 

 " seal-skin." 



GENUS PHOCA. 



Phoca^ Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12, vol. i. p. 55 (1766). 



Distinguished from the preceding genus by the relatively 

 smaller and more pointed teeth, and by those of the cheek- 

 series having accessory cusps, and mostly double roots. The 

 head also is rounded, instead of flattened, and the muzzle 

 naked and not truncated, while the brain-cavity of the skull is 

 proportionately much larger. 



The short front-flippers are furnished with five stout, some- 

 what compressed and curved, and rather sharp claws ; while 

 those of the hind-feet are narrower and less curved. 



The genus includes several species from the northern hemi- 

 sphere, among which are the majority of those frequenting the 

 British coasts. 



I. COMMON seal. PHOCA VITULINA. 



Phoca vitulina^ Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12, vol. i. p, 56 (1766); 



Bell, British Quadrupeds, 2nd ed. p. 240 (1874). 

 Phoca variegafa, Nilsson, Skandinav. Faun. vol. i. p. 359 



(1820). 

 Callocephalus v'ltulinus^ F. Cuvier, Diet. Sci. Nat. vol. xxix. 



p. 544 (1826); Gray, Cat. Seals and Whales Brit. Mus. 



p. 20 (1866). 



{Plate XVII.) 



Characters. — Considerably smaller than Halichoerus grypus^ to 

 which it closely approximates in general coloration, the upper- 

 parts being yellowish-grey spotted with black and brown, while 

 the under-parts are light silvery-grey. Cheek-teeth crowded, 

 together, and placed obHquely in the jaws. Total length, from 

 4 to 5 feet. 



