220 CARNIVORA. 



BINGED OE FETID SEAL. 



Phoca foetid a. 

 French : Phoque commun. 



This Seal is called Fetid, on account of the peculiar 

 odour it exudes, and Einged, from the numerous circular 

 markings on its back. Its small size has also earned 

 for it the name of Floe-rat, and another name is the 

 Floe Seal. 



The Einged Seal inhabits Labrador, Anticosti Island, 

 the east coast of Hudson's Bay, the coasts of Green- 

 land and Newfoundland, and Esquimaux Bay. It has 

 been also met with in the Hudson's Bay territory, and as 

 far north as Smith's Sound. Elliott says it is also 

 found on the northern shores of Alaska. 



Many skins are imported in the salted state from the 

 trading steamers, and are sold exclusively for leather, 

 the small fetching 3s. to 4s. 2d., and the extra small 2s. 

 to 2s. lid. 



About 8,000 to 40,000 dry skins are sold by the Green- 

 land Company ; these are likewise used for leather. 

 A few skins are also imported from Labrador in the 

 dry state, and are sometimes dressed by the natives. The 

 Hudson's Bay Company import about 1,000 skins from the 

 east coast of Hudson's Bay ; these are sorted into large, 

 middling, and small spots, the last being the most 

 numerous. The Whitecoat skins, though small, are 

 of a suitable quality for dyeing. They usually arrive 

 dry from the Hudson's Bay coast, but in the salted 

 state they are mixed with those of other species, and are 

 found among the small sizes. 



