TEETH OF SEALS. 29 



almost in contact. The tubercles on them are in some very 

 distinct, in others the central one only remains, giving the 

 grinders the appearance of a row of small canines. In one 

 example of an adult cranium in my possession, there are 

 only four molars on each side in the lower jaw, and most 

 obviously there never had been more. In colour the teeth are 

 yellow ; in substance soft, like the ivory of the walrus. This 

 seems to account for their being, comparatively with those of 

 the vitulina, so much worn and smoothed, and so varied in 

 different crania. The fangs of the canines premorse, and not 

 deep in the sockets. The teeth of the vitulina are pearly, 

 enamelled, very hard and splintery ; the canine fangs coni- 

 cal, long, and penetrating deep into the alveoli. As the 

 barbata feeds chiefly on the larger and cartilaginous fish, 

 the molars may require to be formed somewhat like the ca- 

 nines, for the purpose of giving a firmer hold ; while the 

 vitulina, feeding principally on the osseous fish, and possibly 

 now and then on Crustacea, needs this structure less, but 

 more facility of mastication , 



In the curious subject of inquiry into the practicability 

 of domesticating seals, the remark cannot but present it- 

 self, that it is singular that so few additions have been made 

 to the list of domestic animals bequeathed to us from re- 

 mote antiquity, and herein is the excellent establishment of 

 zoological gardens destined to make rich discoveries. In- 

 stances of individual seals being tamed are, it is true, rare, 

 yet they are frequent enough to prove the practicability of 

 the attempt, and to point out the likelihood of the experi- 

 ment being a useful one, and at all events, the cui bono 

 question may receive here the same answer as may be given 

 it in other desiderata. Whether the animal might breed in 

 captivity and remain reclaimed from the wild state, is yet 

 to be learned. Almost all the instances of tame seals of 

 which we have any account belong to the vitulina species, 

 and of these we have no notice, so far as I am aware, of the 



