NOTES ON THE ANATOMY OF A SEAL — SOMMERS. 159 



measured when distended about 14 inches in length, by 

 about 5i in width. There is a permanent constriction at the 

 junction of the middle with the pyloric third due to the muscu- 

 lar fibres dividing the organ into two imperfect cavities. The 

 intestines measured in length 42 feet, 3 inches ; diameter, about 

 | of an inch. Mucous membrane of both stomach and intestines, 

 desquamating was not examined microscopically. There were 

 no valvulse in the intestines. The stomach, &c, contained 

 shrimps, partly digested herrings and bones. The liver had so 

 far decomposed, its dissection or examination was rendered 

 impracticable, no gall bladder was observed, although some 

 attention was given to its discovery. The spleen and pancreas 

 were not noticed ; the kidneys were moderate in size ; the uri- 

 nary bladder small, oval-shaped ; ureters much larger, " thrice," 

 than in man ; uretha measured from neck of bladder to tip of 

 penis about thirty inches. The animal was a young male ; the 

 generative organs small. The penis was contained in a sheath 

 or pouch of the integument of the abdomen, this sheath extends 

 from the vent upwards towards the umbillicus, enclosing 

 the organ so completely that a superficial glance would lead to 

 the supposition of its being entirely absent. The penis is pro- 

 vided with a long bone, situated or in connection with the 

 corpora cavernosa ; the diameter in this young animal being about 

 that of an ordinary lead pencil. The testicles are within the 

 abdominal cavity. The spermatic cords and vessels on either 

 side pass through a very long abdominal canal, with internal 

 and external rings, as in man. They pass up the abdominal 

 wall to join the root of the penis. The testicles contained no 

 spermatozoa. The penis could be made to protrude from its 

 abdominal sheath. 



Any remarks which I am inclined to make in reference to the 

 seal will refer only to the organs of progression, and taking the 

 evidence afforded by their anatomical structure, it is easy to 

 draw the following conclusion, viz. : so far as the two pairs are 

 concerned, their uses are entirely different. The shortness and 

 restricted movements of the anterior extremities renders them 

 font of little moment in swimming. The great osseous and mus- 



