OKDER V. THE CAKXIVOKA. 201 



C. Vif/iliiius. — Tlic Conunon Seal. Tlie characters of this species con- 

 sist, according to Professor Nilsson, — 1st, in the oLlicjue position of the 

 niohir teeth along the jaw ; id, in tiie posterior margin of the p;date being 

 deeply notched ; and 3d, in tiie external process of the nasal Ijone bein"' 

 elongated and rounded, whilst the inner is not much more than half the 

 length of the former, and with its fellow makes a small trianjrle. 



The Common Seal often exceeds six feet in length, and the various colors 

 and markings of the animals have caused them to be separated into sexeral 

 distinct varieties, as the common seal of the French coast, — "ZiO veritable 

 veau marin" of F. Cu\ier, — and tlic common seal of the .Scottish coast. 

 Tl»e specific name, viluUnus, is given to the common seal on account of 

 the inharmonious accents of its voice. The species is widely distributed, 

 abounding in all the northern seas, from Spitzbergen and Gi-eenland to the 

 mouth of the Scheldt, and from the AVhitc Sea to the eastern coast of Amer- 

 ica, and also in the Antarctic waters. 



The best description of this species which we have been able to find is that 

 of xYlbinus, who says of a seal that had been sent to him for examination, 

 "It measured six and a half ieet from the mouth to the termination of the 

 posterior extremities. It had no external auricles, and the foramina leading 

 to the organ of hearing were very small. At the inner angle of the eye 

 was a third eyelid, which could easily be drawn over the whole eye, — an ap- 

 paratus which appears frecj^uently supplied to those animals in which the eye- 

 lids are used not only as a covering, but more- especially as a defence from 

 external danger. A inw hairs went to form something like eyebrows. The 

 nostrils were large, lunatcd, and easily opened. The upper lip was nuich 

 and roundly prominent, with whiskers like those of the cat; the hairs were 

 not very numerous, of a white color, rather long, like bristles, hard and 

 horny, yet ficxible. The tongue was long, and round at the tip, but some- 

 what sulcated at the upper part, so as to appear double. The hair was gen- 

 erally short, slender, and smooth, covering the whole of tlic body and 

 extremities. The color was verging to tawny, and the whole body \vas 

 studded with a number of dark spots, the tints being paler on the belly and 

 chest. The tail and posterior extremities were wholly brown, without any 

 spots, except at the origin of the fingers, where there were a few tawny 

 markings ; the same observations ajiply to the fore paws." 



These animals produce their young about midsununcr. They arc usually 

 brought forth in eaves, and very shortly after are taken to the sea by the 

 mother, to be taught the art of swimming. 



In the Western Islands the seals often attain the weight of over two hun- 

 dred pounds, and swim with great rapidity, darting through the water at the 

 rate of six or eight miles an hour. On our own coasts they are capable of 

 NO. VI. 20 



