THE BOTTLE-NOSED SEAL. jp5 



The flesh of the old males is rank, but that of the 

 females and young is said to be exceedingly good. 

 The skins of the young ones cut out of the bellies 

 of the females, are in esteem for clothing, and are 

 nearly as valuable as those of the old animals. 



THE BOTTLE-NOSED SEAL *. 



The male of this species measures from fifteen to 

 twenty feet in length ; and is distinguished from 

 the female by a large snout, projecting iiv^e or six 

 inches below the end of the upper-jaw. This 

 snout the animal inflates when he is irritated, giving 

 it thus the appearance of an arched or hooked nose. 

 The skin is scattered over with a, rust-coloured hair. 

 The feet are short, and the binder ones so webbed 

 as to appear like fins. In the upper jaw there are 

 only four front teeth, and in the lower jaw no more 

 than two. — These animals are found in the seas 

 about New Zealand, on the island of Juan Fernan- 

 dez, and the Falkland Islands. 



Their fat is so very considerable, as to lie at least 

 a foot deep between the skin and the flesh ; and some 

 of the largest aflbrd as much as will fill a butt. 

 When the Bottle-nosed Seals are in motion, they 

 appear almost like immense skins filled with oil ; 

 the tremulous motion of the blubber being plainly 

 discernible beneath the surface. They have also so 

 much blood, that, if deeply v^ounded in a dozen 



t Synonyms.— Phoca Leoiiina. Linv. — Sea Lion. Anson. — Bot- 

 tle-nosed St a!. Penn. Sharfs Gen. Zool.pl. 7.'5. 



O 2 



