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BEAEDED OR GROUND SEAL. 

 Erignaihus barbata. 



This Seal has obtained the name of Bearded from 

 the abundant bristly whiskers with which it is furnished. 

 It is one of the largest Seals, being about 6 feet long, 

 and is spotted. It inhabits the Greenland Seas, and is 

 one of the species for which a close time has been 

 provided by Act of Parliament. It was met with in 

 Smith's Sound by the Polar Expedition of Sir G. 

 Nares. The tail is short and stumpy, and is 3 to 4 

 inches long. The hind feet are about 12 inches in 

 length, furnished with nearly straight claws about 1J 

 inches long. The claws of the manus or front feet 

 are long and grooved, the second claw being the longest. 

 The neck is long compared to the rest of the body. 



The skins, weighing from 39 to 45 Ibs., are principally 

 used for leather ; the large skins fetch from 9s. 7d. to 

 13s. 6d., and the extra large 20s. lid. to 23s. 8d. 



BLADDER-NOSED SEAL. 



Cystophora cristata. 

 German : Klappmiitze. 



The Bladder-nosed Seal is well known, and the males 

 are easily recognized by the appendage on the nose, 

 which they are able to distend at pleasure. It is also 

 called the Crested or Hooded Seal for the same reason. 

 A similar appendage is found in the Saiga Antelope, but 



