294 EEMARKS ABOUT SEALS. 



own little zoological exj)erience with the Cape tradition, 

 and I think you will agree with me that one seema to 

 corroborate and confirm the other. 



It appears that when the ClMllenger expedition, under 

 the care of the late Sir Wyville Thomson, arrived at Cape 

 Town in the autumn of 1873, Sir Wyville's attention was 

 drawn to the tale about the " ballast-bag" ; when he stated 

 that he had examined many seals, but had never come 

 across any such condition of things, and evidently was 

 disposed to make light of the matter. 



Some of the Cape scientists and others were rather 

 annoyed at this scant treatment of their ideas; and after 

 the departure of the Challenger a Ician] commission was 

 appointed to investigate the matter. This committee con- 

 sisted of Mr. Bensuson, of the firm of Bensuson & Co., 

 who had then the Cap« fisheries ; Mr. Ansdell, a merchant, 

 of the firm of Ijcasight & Co. ; Dr. McWalters, surgeon 

 of the 86th llogiment ; and Mr. Bindley. These gentle- 

 men were all interested in the subject, and felt very in- 

 dignant at Sir Wyville Thomson's way of treating it. 

 Accordingly Mr. Bensuson and Dr. Mu Walters accompanied 

 the next expedition of seal fishers. They opened a number 

 of seals, the Otaria pusilla, and out of the number found 

 several bags. When an opportunity occurred some speci- 

 mens were sent to England, by a Cape medical student, 

 Mr. Vanderbyl, who had instructions to place them in Sir 

 Wyville Thomson's hands. This, I believe, was done ; but 

 unfortunately the speedy death of Sir Wyville, and then 

 shortly afterwards of the medical student, closed the affair. 



Now I have the pleasure of showing you a " ballast-bag," 

 which was got during this same expedition — the prepara- 

 tion being now about twelve years old — and which was 

 given me by Mr. Bindley this last summer. You will see 



