212 CARNIVOEA. 



the flesh would consequently lo^e its flavour and be less 

 palatable. 



The affection of the mother for its offspring, however, 

 is a noteworthy trait, which seems to point to the 

 contrary. 



COMMON OR HAIR SEAL. 



Phoca vitidina. 



French : Veau marin, vache marine. German : 

 Kofferseehund. 



This Seal, as well as all that follow, have no external 

 ears ; the toes are joined, not distinct as in the Fur 

 Seals or Otariidse ; and the hind flippers are shorter. 



This lively and beautiful Seal inhabits the shores of 

 Great Britain and Ireland ; the north-western shore of 

 North America as far north as Akoon Island in the 

 Aleutian chain, Yakutal Bay, and other parts of Alaska. 

 The skins are exported from these latter districts as 

 an article of commerce, but those from the former seem 

 to be thrown away, not being found in sufficiently large 

 numbers to be worth collecting. The oil is said to be 

 used by old people in Scotland as a physic. 



The Hair Seal is found in the Island of Harris, on 

 the south coast of Wales, the north and south coasts 

 of Devon, the extreme north coast of Cornwall 

 (Tintagel Head), and Lundy Island. One was captured 

 at The Needles in 1884, and lately a specimen was seen 

 in Loch Awe. 



Hair Seals were probably once found in Sutherland, 

 and on the south coast of England. Selsey (Sussex) 

 derives its name from this fact, being originally Seals' ei 



