264 THE COMMON SEAL. 



The species as yet discovered to frequent or occasionally visit 

 the British shores, are the common seal (Phoca mtulind), the 

 harp seal (P. Grcenlandica) , the great seal (P. barbata), the grey 

 seal (Halichcerus Gryphus), and the walrus (Trichecus Rosmarus). 



THE COMMON SEAL. 



(Phoca vitulina, Linn.; P. variegata, Nillson; Calocephalus 



vitulinus, F. Cuv.) 

 Sea Calf. Sea Dog. 



The common seal abounds on the shores of Newfoundland, 

 the Orkney* and Zetland Isles, and on the northern shores 

 of Scotland. In Ireland, it occurs not unfrequently on the 

 north coast ; but it appears to be nearly expelled from the 

 southern half of that country by the more powerful and savage 

 species, called the grey seal (Halicharus Gryphus), much in the 

 same manner as the original English black rat has yielded to the 

 more powerful Asiatic rat, erroneously called the Norway rat. 



Its length is usually from three to five feet, including the 

 head, which is about eight inches long. The general colour of 

 its coat is yellowish grey, spotted with brown and black above ; 

 but the belly is whitish. 



It feeds upon salmon, and various other, if not all, kinds 

 offish. 



* It has been conjectured that the Orkney Islands derive their name from 

 the seal, which in the language of the Northmen is called ore. 



