﻿Webb. — On the Fwr Seal of Neio Zealand. 



199 



absence of the crests on tlie skull, the greater proportional size of the brain 

 cavity in the young animal, and the large canines in the old. All the other 

 measurements are proportionally the same, with the exception of the width of 

 the posterior aperture of. the palate, which is the same as in the adult. 



The measui'ements of this young seal's skull, which is also figured, (PI. XII., 

 fig. 2, a, h, and c) are given above, along with those of the adult. — J. Hectob, 

 Dec, 1871.] 



Art. XXX. — On tlie Fur Seal of New Zealand. By J. S. Webb. 



[Read before the Otago Institute, 3\st October, 1871.] 



At Dr. Hector's request I have examined two specimens of the Fur Seal which 

 are now in the Otago Museum, in order to add to the paper just read any 

 remarks which they may suggest. Mr. Purdie has obliged me with the 

 measurements, which are as follows : — 



Table of Measurements in Inches. 



Total length 

 Nose to ear 



,, to angle of mouth 

 „ to centre of eye 

 Length of ear 

 Width of nose 

 Anterior flipper — 



Length of exterior surface from shoulder joint 

 Length of interior surface .... 



Posterior flipper — 



Length from hip joint .... 



Length of tail ...... 



Though these measurements do not show an exact correspondence, they 

 are sufficiently like those of the seals described by Dr. Hector in their propor- 

 tions for each specimen, to leave no doubt that they all belong to one species. 

 The only large proportional difierence is in the measurements from nose to 

 ear, which are greater in our male specimen than in Dr. Hector's, although 

 the latter is more than one fourth larger in general measurement. In other 

 respects the differences are also slight. No proper comparison of the skulls 

 can be made without destroying the stuffed specimens, but the general contour 

 of the head in these corresponds with the proportions of the skulls which 

 Dr. Hector measured. The general description given by him will also, in the 

 main, serve for our specimens. The chief differences are: — 1st. The general 



Male. 



Female. 



64-5 



51 



10 



7 



6 



4 



5-75 



4-6 



1-75 



1-8 



1 



1 



23 



16 



15 



10-25 



15-75 



11 



4 



2 



