THE COMMON SEAL 193 



object is attained by means of a self-acting valve. On 

 land the respiration of the seal is slow two minutes 

 between each breath ; the animal can remain under water 

 for twenty-five minutes. 



FAMILY PHOCID^E. 



COMMON SEAL (Phoca vitulina}. 



Coloured Plate XII. Fig. 3. 



Of the Earless, or True Seals, the Common Seal is an 

 excellent example. It has an exceedingly wide range ; it 

 is found on both coasts of the North Atlantic, from Spain 

 to Spitzbergen on the east, from Florida to Greenland on 

 the West. The Mediterranean, Black, and Baltic Seas 

 are visited ; and it is common on the loneliest shores of 

 Scotland and Ireland. At one time the coast of Cornwall 

 and the Isle of Wight were favourite resorts of this Seal, but 

 the shy creature has almost forsaken these regions for many 

 years. Occasionally small herds enter our river mouths, 

 and not far from the Tay Bridge was once witnessed a 

 terrific encounter between a Seal and a large salmon. For 

 an hour the huge fish made gallant efforts to escape its foe, 

 but eventually the Seal caught and devoured it in triumph. 

 Only a few years ago a Seal was shot in the Thames at 

 Richmond. 



The Common Seal is not a large animal, its length not 

 exceeding five feet. Its rather handsome skin is chiefly 

 yellowish-grey above, with patches and spots of brown 

 or brownish-black ; the under surface of the body is much 

 lighter, silvery grey or almost white. There is no under fur, 

 and in consequence the skin, though useful, is of no special 

 value. 



Upon the British coasts the Seal is not found in sufficient 

 numbers to make it of commercial importance, chiefly 

 giving rise to the cruel and fruitless sport of Seal-shooting. 

 In other regions, Newfoundland for example, the animal is 

 hunted for the sake of its oil and hide. 



It is a most intelligent and affectionate animal, being 



