164 
Size. 
Uses. 
TARP SEAL 
‘This inhabits the fame countries with the Roagh and Leporine Seal ; 
but loves the coldeft parts of the coaft. Continues on the loofe ice 
of Nova Zembla the whole year; and is feen only in the winter in 
the White Sea, on the floating ice carried from the northern feas. 
It brings forth its young about the end of April, and after fuckling 
it a fuficient time departs with the firft ice into the Frozen Ocean. 
The young remains behind for fome time, then follows its parent 
with the ice which is loofed from the fhore *. 
It abounds in Greenland and about Spitzbergen, efpecially in the 
bottoms of the deep bays. Migrates in Greenland twice in the year: 
in March, and returns in May; in une, and returns in September. 
Couples in Fuly, and brings forth towards the end of March or be- 
gining of April: has one young, rarely two, which it fuckles on frag— 
ments of ice far from land. It never afcends the fixed ice; but. 
lives and fleeps on the floating iflands in great herds. Swims in great 
numbers, having ene for a leader, which feems to watch for the fe- 
curity of the whole. Eats its prey with its head above water. Swims - 
in various ways; on its belly, back, and fide, and often whirls about. 
as if in frolick. Frequently fleeps on the furface of the water. Is 
very incautious. Has great dread of the Phyfeter Microps, which. 
forces it towards the fhore. It is often furrounded by troops of 
hunters, who. compel it even to land, where it is eafily killed. 
It is found alfo. about Kamt/chatka, being the third fpecies. men— 
tioned by Steller. 
It grows to the length of nine feet. The meafurements of one de~ 
fcribed by Mr. Lepechin are as follow—The length, from the nofe to, 
the tip of the tail, was fix feet : the length of the tail five inches three: 
lines: the girth of the thickeft part of the body four feet eight.. 
The fkin is ufed to cover trunks; that of the young, taken in the- 
ifle of So/ovki, on the weft fide of the White Sea,,is made into boots, 
and is excellent for keeping out water. The Greenlanders, in dreffing 
the fkins, curry off the hair, and leave fome fat on the infide to ren-. 
* AG. Acad. Petrop, pars. 263. 
3 der 
