THE GREENLAND OR SADDLE-BACK SEAL. 



235 



ESKIMO HUNTERS AT AN ATLUK, "WAITING FOB A SEAL. 



is that which inhabits Lake Baikal, in North Central Asia, and Lake Ladoga, in Finland. On 

 this head there is some discrepancy in the writings of authorities. M. Dybowski regards the 

 Lake Baikal animal as distinct, and names it Phoca baicalensis. Nilsson again avers that the Seal 

 of the Caspian Sea is a distinct 

 species (Phoca caspica). On 

 the other hand, Wallace and 

 Van Beneden take a broader 

 view, with which I am in- 

 clined to agree, that one, or 

 more likely both, animals may 

 be regarded as the Ringed 

 Seal (Phoca hispida). It is 

 very plausibly remarked that 

 in former epochs of the world's 

 history, as is well known, 

 geologists show that a large 

 area of what is now called 

 Russia in Asia was partially 

 submerged, or, at least, the 

 lakes in question were in 

 more direct communication 

 with the Arctic Ocean. The 

 Seals hence, one might say, 

 had their oceanic connection 

 cut off, and thus, on that 

 account slightly modified, remain as evidence of a once different physical condition of the areas 

 concerned. 



THE GREENLAND, OR SADDLE-BACK SEAL.* It is this species that forms one of the chief objects 

 of chase both in the Spitzbergen and Newfoundland seas. In habits it agrees with the ordinary Seals 

 though said to be careless and stupid, and easily captured. It feeds on small fish, Crustacea, and mol- 

 lusca. The males and females differ in appearance, and the changes from the younger to older stages 

 are also very remarkable. Indeed, one may say scarcely two animals are alike. These peculiarities have 

 given rise to a great vaiiety of names White Coats, Harp Seal, Blue Sides, and other common appel- 

 lations besides " Atak " of the Greenlanders, and " Karoleek " and " Neitke " of the Eskimo, &c. 



It has a wide geographical range, namely, along the North American coast to Davis Strait, 

 round Greenland, the Scandinavian coasts, the Arctic Ocean eastward to Behring Strait, and even 

 to Kamstchatka. According to Rink, though migratory, it may nevertheless be considered at home 

 on the Greenland coast, on account of its haunting the shore and running over the sounds and fjords 

 during the greater part of the year. There it appears regularly along the southern coast in September, 

 travelling in herds from south to north between the islands. They are then fat, but their blubber 

 still increases towards winter. In October and November they are most numerous ; in December 

 they decrease, become scarce in January, and almost disappear in February. In May they return 

 from southwards, and get more northerly in June, when they are very lean. The herds again 

 disappear in July, and return in September. Thus the Saddle-back deserts the Greenland coast 

 twice a year. As to their whereabouts during their absence, information is defective. In spring, 

 early in March, and till the beginning of April, it is found in immense numbers in the proximity of 

 the dreary island of Jan Mayen, and in the Spitzbergen waters, in a belt of ice which the sealers 

 term " South-east pack." To these great broken ice-fields the Seals in vast numbers resort. 

 At such times, as Dr. R. Brown observes, they may be seen, half a million and upwards, of both 

 sexes, " literally covering the frozen waste as far as the eye can reach, with the aid of a telescope, 

 from the crow's nest." At this season, the females give birth to their young one, or occasionally 

 two, in number. Then it is that the sealing-ships bear up towards the pack-ice ; and, whenever 



* Phoca groenlandica ; the genus Pagophilu* of Gray. 



