SEAL KAY. 311 



The detached islets about 90 miles apart, known as 

 the Portland and Rattlesnake Rocks, are nearly the 

 eastern and western extremities of the bank. This 

 shoal has always been visited as an excellent and 

 inexhaustible fishing ground ; and, probably from the 

 variety and abundance of its aquatic animals and 

 marine productions, it received from the Spaniards 

 the name of Vivero, a word equally designating 

 a warren or a fish-pond. The principal supply of 

 turtle for the Kjngston Market is derived from these 

 shoals, and the rocks are numerously tenanted by 

 sea-birds." 



In the spring of 1846 George Wilkie, Esq., paid 

 a visit to these Kays, and succeeded in obtaining a 

 larger specimen of the Seal. Some notes with which 

 he kindly furnished me, through the medium of Mr. 

 Hill, of the peculiarites of the different islets, depict 

 natural difficulties in the access to Seal Kay, suffi- 

 cient to account for the meagreness of the informa- 

 tion about Seals, possessed by the host of egg- 

 gatherers, who annually resort to those rocks and 

 shoals. Seal Kay lies about three miles to leeward 

 of the principal group. It is about two acres in ex- 

 tent, and rises to twenty feet in height, but is en- 

 tirely destitute of all terrestrial vegetation. Address, 

 in landing, requires to be combined with strength, 

 hardihood, and perseverance ; and frequently before 

 a footing can be obtained, the Seals, the objects of 

 attraction, have escaped to the waters, and continue 

 to avoid the shore as long as intruders remain upon 

 the island. "When Mr. Wilkie's party first landed 

 in their late visit, they surprised some five Seals on 



