Family PHOCID^. 

 Genus Halichoerus 



THE GREY SEAL. 



Halichcerus grypus, Fabricius. 

 Plate 13. 



Until quite recent years little was known of the habits and pelage 

 of this fine species, which was often confused with the large Bearded Seal 

 of the Arctic seas, Erignathus barbatus^ and we owe much to Mr. Millais 

 for the full and accurate account of its life history, which, after years of 

 observation around our coasts, he has given in his Mammals of Great 

 Britain and Ireland^ vol. i. pp. 252-298. According to this authority 

 " four distinct types are found, as well as every intermediate form between 

 them, that is to say, specimens may occur which are composite of two, 

 three or even four types." These types are described as follows : i. The 

 Black Male ; 2. The Light Qrey Male ; 3. The Blotched Male ; 4. The 

 Qrey Spotted Male. 



The first and last mentioned are shown on the upper and lower 

 part of Plate 13, with one of the intermediate forms between the 

 two. 



Around the throats of the adult males, and best seen in autumn when 

 their coats are in good order, are several ridges of dark hair, forming 

 bands which look like tarry ropes. 



The colour of the female runs into two types, either light grey above 

 and white below with some dark spots on the throat, shoulders and 



SI 



