MAMMALIA—SEA BEAR. 209 
nels are very careful to awake them when any danger is near. Ther 
voices are very shrill, and of various tones ; sometimes grunting like hogs, 
and sometimes neighing like horses. The males often fight with each 
other, when they wound one another desperately with their teeth. The 
flesh of these animals is not disagreeable to eat, particularly the tongue, 
which is as good as that of the ox. They are very easily killed, as they 
cannot defend themselves, nor fly from their enemies; they are so exceed- 
ingly heavy, that they move with great difficulty, and turn themselves about 
with still greater. Those that hunt them have only to guard against their 
teeth, which are very strong, and which they make use of with powertfui 
effect on those who approach within their reach. 
LHE HOODED SHALS 
TE hooded seal is most commonly found on the shores of Greenland, of 
Davis’ Straits, and occasionally of Newfoundland. It is distinguished by 
the singular appendage it has on its head, formed by an extension of the 
skin of the front which communicates with the nostrils, and can he inflated, 
or elevated and depressed, at the pleasure of the animal. It is covered with 
short black hairs. The use of this hood has not been ascertained.— Godman. 
THE URSINE SEAL, OR SEX BEAR 2 
Tue males of this species are, in general, about eight feet long, but the 
females are much smaller. Their bodies are very thick, and the color of 
the hair is commonly black, but that of the old ones is tipped with gray. 
The females are of an ash eolened hue. The nose projects like that of a 
pug dog, and the eyes are large and prominent. Their voice varies on dif- 
ferent occasions; thus, when sporting on their native rocks, they low like 
a cow; when engaged in battle, they growl hideously ; alice a defeat or re- 
ceiving a wound, they mew ks a cat; and the note of triumph after a 
A Mea ey 
1 Phoca cristatc, Gh. 2 Phoca ursina, Lin. 
27 
