28 DK. J. E. GRAY ON THE SPECIES OF SEALS, (Jan. 26, 
towed along the side of their canoe. They refused to part with the 
entire animal, but were at length induced to sell the head. 
The examination of the skulls shows that the two Seals evidently 
belong to the same species, the specimen from Fraser’s River being 
adult, and the other not quite so old. Mr. Wood observes that ‘the 
younger Seal was captured among the islands in Queen Charlotte’s 
Sound, at the north end of Vancouver ; has a fur of a dark brown, 
almost black-colour; and is unlike that from the Fraser’s River, 
which is lighter and less timid, being often seen seated on a log 
floating down with the current.” 
The skull of this Seal differs so greatly from those of any of the 
Seals on the eastern side of the Arctic Ocean, that I am induced to 
propose for it a new subdivision, which may be thus named and cha- 
racterized :— 
Haticyon. 
The palate of the skull arched out behind. Cutting-teeth 2 
Grinders 3 or 5, lobed, compressed. The lower jaw strong, bowed 
out on the sides, thick in front, and with a low crest on the inner 
side of the lower edge near the front; the ramus of the lower jaw 
erect, with a tubercular prominence beneath the notch at the angle. 
HALicyon RICHARDII, sp. nov. 
Fur pale brown ; when young, darker. 
Hab. Fraser’s River and Vancouver’s Island. 
I have dedicated this species, at the request of Mr. Wood, to Capt. 
Richard, the Hydrographer to the Admiralty, and Captain of H.M.S. 
‘Hecate’ when these Seals were collected. I have the more plea- 
sure in doing this, as the Museum has received many very interest- 
ing specimens collected during the voyage of the ‘ Hecate,’ showing 
the interest which her Commander takes in the natural sciences, 
which I have no doubt will receive additional encouragement in the 
new position which he has won by his hydrographic and scientific 
qualifications. 
The skull resembles that of Callocephalus hispidus and Pagophilus 
grenlandicus in the dilatation of the front part of the lower edge of 
the lower jaw; but it agrees with Callocephalus hispidus most in 
the greater development of the face, and in the concave edge of the 
hinder part of the palate. 
It differs from these skulls— 
1. In the dilatation of the lower jaw not being extended so far back, 
only occupying the first two-fifths of the length of the jaw; while 
in the other two species it occupies full half the length of that bone. 
2. In the sides of the lower jaw being much wider apart, and 
arched outwards, making the space between them much wider be- 
hind, agreeing in this respect with Phoca barbata. 
3. In the front of the lower jaw being thick and swollen, and with 
only a slight ridge on the middle of the lower edge in front; and 
the jaws in this part being well separated from each other, not thin, 
concave inwardly, and with a well-developed inferior edge on the 
