THE GREAT SEAL. 9 



Seal is generally found along those parts of the coast where 

 these fish most abound. This species has always been much 

 less frequent than the other — the young are brought forth 

 at a stormy period of the year, and are exposed for weeks 

 to the sea — few seasons pass over which are not fatal to 

 several ; they are also, from the habit of remaining so long 

 on land after birth, more accessible to man, and they seem 

 more dependent on particular kinds of food, and are more 

 exposed to accidents from storms in after-life. The colour 

 of the teeth is yellowish, and (hey have always the appear- 

 ance of being much worn, even before the animal is full 

 grown. 



On a general view of the two species, in reference to their 

 more external distinctions, the most important and promi- 

 nent difference is in the form of the head, and this is most 

 palpable, of course, when the animals are swimming, as this 

 part alone is then in sight. This character at once distin- 

 guishes, not only the barbata from the vitulina, but the 

 male barbata from the female (the Bull from the She-fish 

 as they are termed here) — it is one with which every fisher- 

 man living near their haunts is familiar. The difference, 

 on the other hand, of external appearance between the sexes 

 in the Small Seal is so trifling, that the most experienced 

 hunter can seldom promptly distinguish them. 



Phoca barbata dubia. — Another large species of seal is 

 believed by some naturalists to frequent the British coasts, 

 and as the common and now well-known one, the Haff- 

 Jish, does not realize the idea they have formed of that 

 species, " the great unknown' 1 is still termed by them 

 barbata — to me it appears that the evidence of the exist- 

 ence of such a species is very unsatisfactory. Professor 

 Bell, in his meritorious work already referred to, has stated 



