386 MH. R. COLLETT ON THE GREY SEAL. [Mar. 1, 



E. General Remarks. 



A full-grown male Grey Seal weighs from 250 to 290 kilogrammes, 

 and contains blubber of the weight of 70 or 80 kilogrammes, a few 

 extremely large ones perhaps reaching 100 kilogrammes. The 

 females weigh from 180 to 250 kilogrammes; as a rule about 220. 

 During the pairing-time the males lose from 50 to 70 kilogrammes. 

 The female, the blubber of which, so to speak, is transferred through 

 the milk to the pups, loses somewhat less, or from 30 to 50 kilo- 

 grammes. They do not regain their good condition before the 

 summer, when they rapidly begin to fatten, and in the beginning of 

 August acquire their greatest fatness, at which time they are also 

 most shy. 



As soon as the pairing-time is over, and the young ones have 

 taken to the sea, they assemble in small herds and leave the breeding- 

 places, and gather about the outermost rocks to pass the winter ; 

 they never show themselves between the inmost islands. During the 

 spring and early summer they lie together on certain rocks in such 

 great numbers that the rocks are quite covered, and sometimes one sees 

 the same rock covered for several days running. During the summer 

 they principally take to the rocks at sunset, when the tide is falling, 

 and remain there all iiight growling and crying, their numbers 

 always increasing. At high tide the sea again washes them ; but 

 a few climb so high up that tlie sea cannot reach them, and these 

 may often be observed lying over until the next high tide, perhaps 

 longer. 



During the winter they are more seldom to be seen on shore than 

 at other seasons, as the sea continuously breaks over the rocks 

 where they repose. 



Smell is the most developed of their senses ; and it is of little use 

 to endeavour to approach a Seal in the same direction as the wind 

 blows. On the other hand, it has less reliance on its powers of sight 

 whilst above the water, as its powers of vision are principally adapted 

 for use under water. Seals are, on the whole, very shy and careful, 

 especially when they notice that they are being followed. They very 

 often, however, come close up to a boat and swim about, regarding 

 every thing with great curiosity. During the pairing-time, and also 

 at other periods, the males may be drawn near by mimicking their 

 cry. 



They sleep both on the land and in the sea, in the latter only 

 when there is a feeling of insecurity. During sleep the Seal holds 

 the upper part of its head above the surface of the water. It 

 never makes any show of resistance when it can escape, and never 

 defends its young. With its long extremities it can move itself very 

 rapidly, in spite of its clumsy build, and better than the other 

 northern Seals. In case of danger, when the locality does not pre- 

 sent too many obstacles, it can get away so rapidly that considerable 



club-like stick on the naked row of teeth (the upper lip being generally drawn 

 up whilst asleep), and then to stick them with a knife. Guns are only used in 

 case of need, so as not to disturb the others. 



