508 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



or muzzle in the moments of anger, it then assumes nearly 

 the shape of the short proboscis of the tapir ; but according 

 to recent observation, it is not so when the animal is per- 

 fectly at rest, the nose then being drawn back and thickened. 



These animals, at certain times of the year, are said to 

 be so excessively fat, as to resemble skins of oil ; the tremu- 

 lous motion of the blubber being plainly perceivable be- 

 neath the skin. A single animal has been known to yield 

 a butt of oil, and to be so full of blood, that what has run 

 out has filled two hogsheads. This species is an abundant 

 source of trade in the antarctic seas. 



The figure of this animal, in Lord Anson's voyage, dif- 

 fers very widely from that of Peron ; the former has the 

 nasal appendage or peculiarity almost in the shape of a 

 cock's comb, and the latter represents it as a short pro- 

 boscis. We have no original drawing to illustrate the 

 subject. 



The above-mentioned species may be said to be esta- 

 blished, since their bony parts, at least, have been ex- 

 amined and observed upon by our author. Of the various 

 other species, real or pretended, which have been named, we 

 shall say nothing in this place, but must refer to the table. 



The Seals distinguished by visible external ears, were 

 noted by Buffbn, but continued mixed with the earless spe- 

 cies by subsequent zoologists, until Peron designated them 

 by the name of Otaries. They differ from the Seals, pro- 

 perly speaking, in other points than that of the external 

 ear. 



Their arms are better calculated for swimming, being 

 placed more behind the animal, which gives them the ap- 

 pearance of having a long neck. The fingers are more en- 

 veloped in the skin, and are destitute of nails. Their hind 

 extremities have the membrane more divided. 



Gmelin cites three species of the Otary, or Eared Seal ; 

 the P. Ursina, P. Jubata, and the P. Pusilla of Daubenton, 



