VOL. LXVI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 3 



limpets, and a few small clams. The muscles are very large and fine, and no 

 way dangerous. In the river on the large island, are small fish like trout, very 

 delicious; and no other sort whatever. 



The amphibious animals are of 4 kinds, though seemingly of the same genus; 

 the sea-lion and the seal are distinct; the clapmatch seal and the fur seal are also 

 distinct animals. The sea-lion and lioness are bull-faced, with long shaggy hair; 

 the common seal is smooth; the clapmatch is best pictured in Lord Anson's 

 voyage, under the name of sea-lion, in the drawings; the fur seal has its name 

 from its coat, which is a fine soft fur, and is thinner skinned than any of the 

 others. They all come on shore in December, to produce their young; and 

 remain mostly on land till they engender again. During this season it is rather 

 dangerous coming near them, for the males are then vicious, and will endeavour 

 to hurt any one who approaches their females; but at all other times they endea- 

 vour to make to the water, where they are safe. In mild warm days, during the 

 summer, they come on shore, and lie basking in the sun. 



Mr. Clayton considers the penguins as amphibious animals, partaking of the 

 nature of birds, beasts, and fishes. There are 4 kinds: the yellow, or king 

 penguin; the red; the black or holey, from their burrowing under ground; and 

 the jumping jacks, from their motion. These creatures generally live in the sea, 

 have very short wings, which serve for fins, are covered with short thick feathers, 

 and swim at an amazing rate. On shore they walk quite erect with a waddling 

 motion, like a rickety child; and their breasts and bodies before being quite white, 

 at a distance have, at first sight, the look of a child waddling along witii a bib 

 and apron on. They come on shore to lay and hatch their eggs in October; the 

 yolks of the yellow, the holey, and jumping penguins, are yellow; but of the 

 red penguins, it is red. All their eggs are good nourishing food, and a great 

 refreshment to the seamen ; but the flesh of these animals is coarse, fishy, and 

 wholly unfit to eat. The only beast on these islands is a fox, very nearly resem- 

 bling the English fox; it is now very shy and scarce to be got. 



There are 3 sorts of wild geese: the mountain goose is somewhat larger than 

 a Muscovy duck, feeds always on the mountains, is pleasant tasted, and prefer- 

 able to the other sorts, but is scarce. Its plumage on the back is speckled with 

 brown and black, of a greenish hue, and towards the neck turns of a glossy 

 beautiful golden colour; the breast is coloured like a pheasant. The other goose 

 feeds in the vallies on the wild cranberries and grass, and is as large as a tame 

 goose; the gander is black and white speckled; the goose is almost like the 

 mountain goose, but darker and not so beautiful. These are good food in ge- 

 neral; but best and fattest in February, March, and April. Of the sea-goose, 

 the gander is white, the goose mottled, black and white; they feed always on 

 the sea-shore, and are scarcely eatable. Wild ducks, widgeon, teal, and the 



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