HARP SEAL 



quarters, and obtain a capital idea of the manner in 



which these intelligent fin-footed mammals pass their 



time. 



Harp Seal. — This, the last species on our Hst, is also 



known as the Greenland or Saddle-backed Seal, the 



latter name being conferred because of the dark markings 



on the back and sides of body, and Harp by reason of 



these markings bearing a resemblance to the shape of 



the said musical instrument. The general colouration 



is yellowish- white, or white, with the nose and forepart 



of the head black, and the darker colour on the upper 



parts and sides as indicated. It is a much smaller species 



than the Great Grey Seal, only attaining a length of 



from five to six feet, and when it is immature (it does not 



acquire the adult attire until it is five years old) may 



easily be confused with the common species. Indeed 



at various stages of its existence it is somewhat puzzHng, 



except to the expert, and the inhabitants of Greenland 



have given it different names according to its different 



stages. It Hves in the far North, and its visits to British 



seas are of infrequent occurrence. It carries out a 



series of most interesting migration movements, but is 



rarely known to land on shore even for breeding purposes, 



preferring an ice-floe, which is a more secure abode for 



tliis ocean-loving species. On account of this habit of 



resorting to a floating island of ice, it is not necessary 



for the Harp Seal to make a breathing-hole in the 



ice-pack as other species do. 



It is said that in spite of the war that has been so 

 H 113 



