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 vititlina, Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12, vol. i. p. 56 (1766); 



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

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



(1820). 

 Callocephalus vltulinus^ 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 Halichcerus 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 obliquely in the jaws. Total length, from 

 4 to 5 feet. 



