THE URSINE SEAL. 94? 



General description. 



These seals are found on most of the rocky 

 shores of Great Britain and Ireland. They are 

 also found considerably within the arctic circle 

 in the seas of Europe and Asia. 



THE URSINE SEAL. 



THESE seals are chiefly found on the islands 

 in the vicinity of Karntschatka, from June to 

 September, during which time they breed and 

 educate their offspring. They are said then to 

 quit their stations, and return, some to the Asia- 

 tic, and some to the American shore, generally 

 however keeping between fifty and fifty-six de- 

 grees of latitude. 



The usual length of the males is about eight 

 feet; but the females are considerably smaller. 

 Their bodies are thick, gradually decreasing to- 

 wards the tail ; and the colour of the hair is ge- 

 nerally black, but that of the old ones is tipped 

 with grey, and many of the females are ash co- 

 loured. The nose projects like that of a pug 

 dog; and the eyes are large and prominent. 

 The fore-legs are about two feet long; and the 

 feet are formed with toes, which are covered with 

 a naked skin, and have somewhat the appearance 

 of turtles' fins. The hind legs are rather shorter, 

 and have five toes, separated by a web. 



The voice of these seals is very different on 

 various occasions; thus, when diverting them- 



