210 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



Genus PELAcaus. Tliis genus contains but one species, so far as known, 

 viz. : — 



J'. MonacJtHii. — Tiic ]\Ionk Seal. Fortunately tlic materials for con- 

 structing tlie history of this species are liherally furnislicd, in striking con- 

 trast with the scantiness of detail in regard to the two preceding groups. 

 Tliis seal inhabits tiie southern siiores of Euro]ie, and was well known to 

 the ancients, wlio had many superstitious notions in regard .to tlie mystical 

 eilicacy of its skin. Tlie Romans considered it a sure protection against 

 li'difninL;-, and hence sheltered themselves under seal-skin tents durinir 

 thunder storms. Suetonius relates that the Emperor Augustus had such a 

 dread of liglitning, that he never travelled without carrying along with him 

 one of tiicsc skins. 



The average length of this species is between ten and twelve feet. A 

 male specimen, described by Lkiifon, was covered witii a sliort, smootli, shiny 

 brown hair, mixed witli gray, principally upon tiie ncciv and liead, wiiere it 

 was s[i(ittt_'d ; tlie fur was thicker on the l)ack and side than on the lielly, 

 wliere tiiere was a large white marking, on wiiich account he named it tlie 

 ]\7ii/i -lirUicil t^'<(i/. The eyes were large, full, of a brown color, and like 

 those of an ox. AVlien the creature had been long out of water, they 

 became Idoodsliot, especially at the angles. 



F. Cuvier gives a % cry interesting account of a female seal of tliis species, 

 whii'li was exhibited in I'aris in iSlli. It was kept in a trough which 

 scarcely exceeded its own dimensicins, Ijcing only one foot longer and two 

 feet liroader than itself. K\cry day it received several pounds of fresh- 

 water fish, and usually spent nine or ten consecutive hours in water tea 

 inches deep. At the close of the day the v\ator ■was removed, that the 

 animal might lie dry during the night, and in spite of this artificial mode of 

 lil(_' it enjoy(_d excellent health. It devoured its food without chewing it; 

 lia\ ing ivmo\ cd the viscera, it always took it into its mouth in such a direc- 

 tion that the fins and scales offered no obstacle to its easy passage. It slept 

 through the entire nigirt, and could not be kept awake during the day with- 

 out the most persevering efforts. It sometimes slept under the water, 

 where it could not breathe, for an hour at a time. 



Butlbn, in his Hist. JS\ttarcl i^'applem., describes this seal at considerable 

 length, in his usual graphic style. lie remarks, "Its aspect is mild, and 

 its disposition not fierce ; its eyes are (piick, and indicate intelligence, or, at 

 all events, they express the sentiments of affection and attachment to its 

 master, whom it obeys with the utmost readiness. At his order we have 

 seen it lay down its head, turn in various directions, roll round and round, 

 raise the fore part of its body quite erect in its trough, and shake hands 

 with him. It responded to his voice and signs by a hoarse sound, which 



