Dr. J. Hector on the New-Zealand Eared Seal 427 



Fig. 23 a. Exterior portion of tubule, showing radiating pores. 



Fif/. 24. Single scale, broken across, and showing ridge in section. 



Fiff. 25, Portion of crural process from early stage. 



Fig. 26. Acicular scales from early stage. 



Fig. 27. Right crural process from early stage. 



Figs. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. Portions of haemal and neural valves of early 



stages, showing development of crura. 

 Figs. 34, 35. Corresponding parts of adult, natural size. 



LI. — Notes on the Neio-Zealand Eared Seal (Phoca ursina, 

 Forster] Arctoceplialus Forsteri, Gray). By Dr. James 

 Hector, F.E.S. 



(In a letter to Dr. J. E. Gray, F.RS. &c.) 



I ENCLOSE a description of the skull of a full-grown male 

 seal taken in Milford Sound. 



Palate moderately concave, narrowed in front, most ex- 

 panded opposite to the last molars, and again contracted to a 

 deep posterior notch bounded by a truncate semicircular mar- 

 gin, the position of which is opposite to the middle of the 

 zygomatic arch. 



inches. 



Length of skull along base 9-6 



Length of palate 4-5 



"Width of palate at first molar 1-2 



„ „ at fifth molar 1-6 



,, „ at posterior notch 0"6 



Width at auditory bullae 5 



Width of jaw at zygomatic arch 6 



Length of lower jaw 6-8 



Width of lower jaw at condyles 5 



Lower jaw moderate, with a blunt hook-like process pro- 

 jecting on the inner side in front and below the condyles. 



In its short palate and white bage of fur it is like Arcto- 

 phoca Hoolceri. 



Captain Cook shot many of this same seal ; at least I never 

 heard that there are two kinds on the west coast, except the 

 mention made in Polach (see Dieffenbach). 



Note. — On comparing Dr. Hector's description and measure- 

 ments of the skull with that of Arctophoca Hookeri^ it appears 

 to be nearly related to and probably a species of the genus 

 Arctophoca. It differs very essentially, in the measurements 

 of its parts, from that of Arctophoca Hooheri', the skull is 

 rather shorter than the length of a not full-grown skull of 

 that species ; and the palate differs most essentially from it 

 in the width of the different parts. — J. E. Gray. 



