THE ZOOLOGIsT—DECEMBER, 1872. 3333 
listens attentively with her horse-like ears, and grunts loudly with a deep 
organ-like note; the young one instantly answers in the same note, but in 
an infantine key. Its colour appears to be that of a mahogany dining-room 
table: it is about three feet six inches long, and its weight about one 
hundred pounds. Eleven hippopotami have been born in Europe—six at 
Amsterdam, two at Paris, and three in England, but hitherto they have died 
in their infancy. Immense care is therefore taken of the new precious infant. 
The hippopotamus-house is kept perfectly quiet, and every precaution is 
taken by Mr. Bartlett—to whom the greatest credit is due for his able 
management and endless care in this matter—to prevent the mother being 
in any way disturbed by people moving about, doors opened, &c.; for if she 
were once put out, the poor old thing, who looks exhausted and anxious, 
would, probably, in her alarm, get up, rush about, and possibly not suckle 
her child, or else trample by accident upon it. Therefore, the public, 
I understand, cannot possibly be admitted to see the young one until the 
doctors pronounce that it is quite safe to do so. They will, in the mean 
time, I am sure, wish this little hippo “long life and a merry one.”— 
Mr. F. Buckland, in ‘ Land and Water.’ 
The Seals (Phocide) that permanently reside in or occasionally 
visit the British Islands. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., &c. 
I BELIEVE that there are only two seals that are regular 
inabitants of the British Islands,—that is to say, inhabiting them 
at all seasons and breeding there,—as, first,— 
The Common Seal (Callocephalus vitulinus). Very generally 
distributed. And secondly, the 
Large Gray Seal (Halicharus grypus). Common on the west 
coast of England and Wales and the coast of Ireland, and the 
north-east and the west coast of Scotland, and the west coast of 
the northern part of England; but J have never received it from 
the southern, or southern part of the east, coast of England. 
The Harp Seal (Pagophilus graenlandicus) and the Marbled Seal 
(Pagomys foetidus), which inhabit the North Sea, have been 
recorded as being found on the British coast, but they are only 
accidental visitors. The harp seal is said to be found in Shetland 
after very bad weather and a continued wind in one direction; and 
the marbled seal to have occurred once or twice in English markets, 
and is supposed to have been taken on the coast, but may have 
been imported. 
SECOND SERIES—VOL. VII. 3N 
