MAMMALIA. 433 



which are widely distributed, but are in general most abundant 

 in tropical countries. They have been arranged in five families. 

 1. Phocidce. The first is that of the Seals (Fig. 326). 

 Like the cetacea, they are warm-blooded mammalia, living in 

 the sea; but they are at once distinguished from theni by the 

 absence of the broad, flat, horizontal tail, the presence of the 



Fig. 32G. SEAL. 



four fin-shaped feet, and other peculiarities. Their great 

 haunt is the sea of the arctic regions, and the fishery, for so 

 it is termed, is one of great value, both for the oil and the 

 skins. The number of Seals annually taken has been esti- 

 mated at the extraordinary number of one million.* 



Four species are known on the coasts of these countries. f 

 The most common (Phoca vitulina) appears to be of a docile 

 and gentle disposition ; its most usual length is from four to 

 five feet. Other species are said to attain a length of fourteen 

 or fifteen feet. 



II. Ursidce. The Bears are remarkable for their great 

 strength, their ponderous body, and their peculiar gait. The 

 food of the American Black Bear is principally vegetable ; f 

 that of the Polar Bear is flesh, mostly that of the Seals. The 



* Berghaiis and Johnston's Physical Atlas. 



f For details respecting their appearance and habits, vide Professor 

 Bell's British Quadrupeds; R. Ball on the Phocidae of the Irish Seas, 

 Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, 1838. We would add Maxwell's 

 Wild Sports of the West. -Those who have read Sir Walter Scott's 

 Antiquary do not require to be reminded of the encounter of Hector 

 M'Intyre arid the " Phoca." 



J The fondness of this animal for honey is so well known, that 

 Washington Irving, in his Tour on the Prairies, introduces one of the 

 rangers as expressing himself in the following graphic, though not very 

 elegant phraseology : " The bear is the knowingest varmint for finding 

 out a bee- tree in the world. They'll gnaw for days together at the trunk, 

 'till they make a hole big enough to get in their paws, and then they'll 

 haul out honey, bees, and all." 



