212 PIVISIOX I. VERTEBIiAL AXIMALS. — CLASS I. I\[AMMALIA. 



A tuberculous body, like an inflated bladder, keel-shnpcd in tlie middle, cov- 

 cr.s the anterior part of the liead, and so preserves tlie I'oreliead. This pro- 

 tuberance is confined to the males. The eye is large and black, with a 

 brown iris ; the body is long and robust ; the color varies according to age, 

 being darkest in the aged. Tiic young, in the first year, are white, tiie 

 upper part of" the back being a slight gray ; in the second year they are 

 snow white, witii a straight line of brown on tlie back. 



Tiiis species is found only on the southern shores of Greenland, delighting 

 in the liigji seas, and visiting tiie land chiefly in April, ^lay, and June. It 

 is polygamous in its habits, and produces its young usually on tiie ice. It 

 bites hard, and barks and wiiines like a dog, and on being wounded becomes 

 fierce, often l)ra\eiv attacking its assailants, inflicting severe woiuids, wliilst 

 the pulpy crest wiiicii extends over the tender point on the nose aflbrds an 

 ample protection from their otherwise stunning blows ; but when it is sur- 

 prised i)y the hunter, it moans and cries like a child, shedding abundant 

 tears. 



A\'e learn from Crantz tliat these seals frequent the great ice islands, 

 where they sleep in an unguarded manner. Tiiey are found in great num- 

 bers in Davis's Straits, where tliey make regularly two voyages a year, and 

 remain from the month of .September to the month of j\Iarcli. Tliey tiien 

 depart to bring forth their young, and return with them in the month of 

 dune, wlien tiicy are very lean and exliausted. They set off again in July, 

 and pr(.)cced U) the north, where they find plenty of food, as they return fat 

 and roljust in Septemlier. 



>S'. ]\Iiir(ih(s. — Tiie Mitred, or Hooded Seal. The authors offer no in- 

 formation whatever in regard to tiie size, habits, disposition, and habitat of 

 tills species. Of the peculiar appendage to the head, from wliicii the spe- 

 cific name is derived, Cuvier remarks, " Upon tlie cranium and neck of this 

 animal tlicre is a very singular structure, whieli may explain wiiat has been 

 said concerning a kind of iiood wiiich it erects and swells up with i)]easure. 

 Tliis structure is composed of numerous vessels, forming a to!eral»ly thick 

 networlv, wiiicii may contain a great quantity of blood, and wlilch causes 

 tlic region of tlie neck and shoulders to appear more swollen tlian in most 

 seals." 



In regard to this liood, Crantz says, '' It lias a thick folded skin upon its 

 forehead, which it can draw down over its eyes, to defend tliem against the 

 storms, waves, stones, and sand."' 



Genus ^lAcr.oiiixfS. j\I. de Blainvllle has stated the generic characters 

 of this remarkai)le group as follows: "The incisors are hooked like the 

 canine, but are much smaller ; the canine are very strong tusks, and tlie 

 molars have simple fangs, and present the singular appearance that their 



