VOL. XLVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. l6l 



forms them, afforded a plain proof that the cellules are the work of the polypi, as 

 the niches, where they lodge, are made by some shell-fish. 



XV. On the Class of the Phocte Marinie* By James Parsons, M.D,, 



F.R.S. p. 109. 



InFebruary 1742-3, Dr. P. gave some account of the sea-calf, which was shown 

 at Charing-cross at that time, which he often saw while alive, and afterwards 

 opened it. It is printed in the 496th number of the Trans. There is also now 

 in town a seal (another species of phoca) alive ; which gives occasion to taking 

 further notice of this class of animals, that the Society may have a clear idea of 

 their differences, and great variety. 



All the species of phocae, this being the generical name, have among them 

 a very great likeness to eiach other, in the shape, not only of their heads, but 

 also of their bodies and extremities. They are webbed nearly alike, are alike 

 reptile, viviparous, bringing forth, suckling, and supporting their young alike ; 

 and in fine all have the same title to these appellations, phocce, vitulus marinus, 

 sea-cow, sea-lion, &c. and these names are vulgarly given to them, as their size 

 happens to be greater or smaller ; and the first of these names from (paxr, or, ac- 

 cording to Dr. Charleton, from Pwxn, signifying a noise, or kind of grunting, 

 which they all at some times make. 



The different species of this class, or rather genus, of animals, are distinguish- 

 able, by their proportion, their size, as to their full growth, their teeth, webbed 

 feet, and whatever other parts in some may not be proper to others. 



As to the first, this species before us is shorter and thicker in proportion than 

 that described before. Dr. Grew, in his excellent book of the Rarities, &c. 

 mentions a difference in the proportions of 2 which he describes, in their thick- 

 ness ; that presented to the Museum by Mr. Haughton being thicker than the 

 other. He also gives an account of another species, which he calls the long- 

 necked seal, in these words: " he is much slenderer than either of the former; 

 but that wherein he principally differs, is the length of his neck ; for from his 

 nose-end to his fore-feet, and from thence to his tail, are the same measure ; as 

 also in that instead of his fore-feet, he hath rather fins: not having any claws 

 thereon, as have the other kinds." The head and neck of this species are ex- 

 actly like those of an otter. One of those, which is also now in our museum, 

 taken notice of by the same author, has a head shaped like that of a tortoise ; 

 less in proportion than that of every other species, with a narrowness or stric- 



• In this paper Dr. Parsons includes not only the seals, strictly so called, but likewise the walruset, 

 manatis, &c. and thus forms a kind of large natural genus under the title of Phoca. 



VOL. X. _ jao<j«!fiT>ii« !i'i\m 'ji»iiw (Siswtma mofl )yn.\/-\ 



