138 CARNIVORES. 
ro) 
period. Like other members of the family, this seal is readily attracted by music, 
and will follow boats from which such sounds proceed to a considerable distance. 
Whether, however, this attraction by musical sounds is due merely to the curiosity 
characterising all the Pinniped Carnivores, or to an appreciation of the music itself, 
has not been ascertained. In disposition the common seal is more intelligent and 
gentle than most of its congeners; these qualities being displayed not only in 
the care and affection they bestow on their offspring, but likewise by the 
readiness with which they can be tamed, and their fidelity and affection for their 
masters. There are, indeed, many instances where these seals have followed their 
owners about like a dog; and some where they have come back to a house after 
every effort had been made to drive them away. 























































































































THE GREENLAND SEAL (;); nat. size), 
Although the Greenland or, as it is often called, the harp, or 
saddle-backed seal, in its immature condition is not easy to dis- 
tinguish from the common seal, in the case of adult males of the two species 
there is no sort of difficulty in this respect, the peculiar coloration of the Greenland 
species being amply sufficient. In the adult male, as shown in our illustration, the 
general colour is yellowish white or white; the nose and the fore-part of the head 
to behind the eyes are black; and there are very generally some black spots on 
the throat and chest. The most characteristic mark is, however, the irregular 
erescentic band of black on each side of the body, extending from the shoulders 
nearly to the tail; these bands being generally widest where they unite in the 
middle line over the shoulders. They may be interrupted posteriorly, but more 
generally join once more in front of the tail, so as to enclose an ellipsoidal 
Greenland Seal. 
