OP LA PEROUSE. 423 



fhoca pufilli, were bafking at their eafe in the 

 fun, on the rocks and along the fhore ; fome 

 fufFered themfelves to be killed with flicks. It 

 is proper to remark, that the drawing which 

 BurFon has given of this amphibious animal has 

 doubtlcfs been taken from a fkin badly flufTul ; 

 it is there reprefented with a neck much fmaller 

 than the head, as is the property of moft qua- 

 drupeds ; but the feal being principally dell ined 

 for fwimming, is affimilated to fifties, and has the 

 head of a fmaller fize than the neck, 



In the fame drawing the ears are repre- 

 sented very open, whereas they have nearly the 

 form of a cone, without any other aperture than 

 a longitudinal flit on the external fide ; it mould 

 feem that nature wifhed to prevent the water 

 from introducing itfelf into the ears of this ani- 

 mal when it dives ; for it can completely fhut 

 this flit when it is in the water, and open it, but 

 in a flight degree, when it is on land. 



Our boats alfo met with a numerous flock of 

 fwans, feveral of which fufFered themfelves to be 

 caught with the hajid ; but the reft being ap- 

 prized of the danger foon took to flight. This new 

 fpecies, which is a little fmaller than the wild 

 fwan, is of a cinereous grey, the tint of which is 

 fomewhat brighter under the belly ; the bill is 

 frlackifh, and has at its bafe a protuberance of a 

 EE4 fulphur 



