Scottish National Antarctic Expedition : Observations on the Anatomy of the 

 Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes Weddelli). By David Hepburn, M.D., Professor of 

 Anatomy, University College, Cardiff (University of Wales). (With One Plate.) 



(MS. received February 22, 1909. Issued separately May 25, 1909.) 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The anatomy of all marine mammals presents an interesting field of observation 

 upon their structural adaptation to a particular environment, and naturally, therefore, 

 an extensive literature already exists in respect to these mammals, notwithstanding the 

 many difficulties connected with their detailed examination. Their large size and the 

 rapidity with which their tissues undergo decomposition have been serious obstacles in 

 the way of prolonged dissection both of Cetacea and of Seals. Consequently, the 

 examination of many parts of their anatomy has, of necessity, been more or less hurried. 

 Accordingly, in the course of the preparations for the Scottish Antarctic Expedition, 

 led by W. S. BRUCE, LL.D., etc., arrangements were made for the preservation of 

 mammalian specimens by the same injection methods that are now commonly used for 

 the practical study of human anatomy, and the medical officer to the Expedition 

 received practical instruction from myself in the application of these methods. 



The animal now under consideration was preserved in the following manner : One 

 of the vessels between two of the toes on a hind flipper was opened and a fine canula 

 inserted. Through this, a quantity of an arsenical preservative, containing glycerine, 

 was introduced under gravitation, and to-day the tissues are as soft and free from 

 putrefaction as they were on the day the creature was killed. 



The animal is a young male Weddell seal (Leptonychotes Weddelli), one of the 

 earless seals. It was born on or before the 29th of August 1903, and was killed by 

 hydrocyanic acid on the 31st of August 1903, and immediately injected with the pre- 

 servative solution. 



Its dimensions are as follows : 



From tip of snout to end of tail ..... 5H ins. 



hind nipper . 60i 



; , fore-limb . 13 



genital aperture . . . . 39 



From genital aperture to anus . . . . . 8 



anus to tip of tail . . . . . . 4J 



Interorbital width . . . . . . 3f 



Axillary and greatest girth ..... 34J 



Fore flipper : 



Length on outer edge . . . . 11 



inner . 6 



Stretch (expanded) . . . . . 7 



(REPRINTED FROM THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH, VOL. XLVH., PP. 57-63.) 



