BRITISH MAMMALS 



The Ringed Seal — the netsik of the Esquimaux hunters — forms the 

 chief food supply of these people, as it does not leave the ice in winter. 

 Dr. Kane [Arctic Explorations^ pp. 153-154) says "the seal are shot 

 lying by their atluk or breathing holes. As the season draws near 

 midsummer they are more approachable : their eyes being so congested 

 by the glare of the sun that they are sometimes nearly blind. . . . Each 

 seal yields a liberal supply of oil, the average thus far being five gallons 

 each. . . . The netsik will not perforate ice more than one season's 

 growth, and are looked for therefore where there was open water the 

 previous year." 



They pass much of their time on the ice near their breathing holes, 

 ready to slip under water on the least alarm. 



The old males have a strong offensive odour, which is said to be 

 imparted to the Esquimaux when they eat these animals. 



THE HARP OR GREENLAND SEAL. 



Phoca grcenlandica, Fabricius. 

 Plate 15. 



This strikingly marked species, of which an adult male is shown in 

 the Plate, measures from 5 to 6 feet in length. 



The predominant colour is a yellowish white, with two irregular bands 

 of deep purpHsh brown or black along the flanks, which meet on the 

 shoulders. 



The muzzle, face, and sides of the head are also of the same dark 

 colour. 



The females are less distinctly marked, and are often grey on the 

 upper parts, with some dark spots. 



60 



