THE SEA LEOPARD. 



The true Seals are found only in the sea, and at the mouths of various large rivers, 

 and are wonderfully abundant in the polar regions. None of them are known to inhabit 

 the tropical parts of the earth. Several species have been known to occur upon our own 

 shores, more especially on the more northern coasts, and the common Seal, Phoca vitulina 

 is found in great numbers around the northern British shores. 



The teeth of the Seals are very remarkable, and admirably adapted for seizing and 

 retaining the slippery prey. The canine teeth are long, sharp and powerful, and the molar 

 teeth are covered with long and sharp points of various sizes, so that when once caught 

 in the gripe of these formidable weapons, there is but scant hope of escape for the fish. 



The Seals are not very prolific animals : the number of their young family being 

 seldom more than two, and often restricted to a single offspring. As the young Seals 

 would be unable, during the earlier portion of their existence, to battle with the sea 

 waves, and to cling firmly to their parent while she afforded them their needful nourish- 

 ment, the mother Seal retires to the shores when she is called upon to take upon herself 

 the pleasing cares of maternity, and cherishes her young for a season on land, before 

 she ventures to commit them to the waves. 



Owing to the excessive shyness of disposition which characterize the Seals, and the 

 wary caution with which they retire from the sight of mankind, their domestic habits are 

 very little known. Indeed, were it not that many specimens of the common Seal had 

 been captured and tamed, we should have but little information on the manners or the 

 habits of those curious animals. There are many species of Seals, which have been 

 separated into various genera by different authors upon different grounds. Some, for 

 example, found the generic distinction upon the absence or presence of external ears, 

 others from the incisor teeth, and others from the molars and the general character of 

 the skull. 



SEA LEOPARD.-Leptonyx Weddellll, 



The SEA LEOPARD, or LEOPARD SEAL, is distinguishable from the other Seals by 

 means of its comparatively slender neck, and the wider gape of its mouth, which opens 

 further backward than is generally the case among these animals. The body is rather 

 curiously formed, being slender at the neck and largest towards the middle, from whence 

 it tapers rapidly to the short and inconspicuous tail. 



The fore-paws are without any projecting membrane, and are largest at the thumb- 

 joint, diminishing gradually to the last joint. The claws are sharp and curved, and rather 

 deeply grooved ; their color is black. The hind-feet are devoid of claws and projecting 

 membrane, and bear some resemblance to the tail-fin of a fish. The color of this Seal is 

 generally a pale gray on the upper portions of the body, relieved with a number of pale 



