THE EIBBON SEAL AND WEST INDIAN SEAL. 67 



states that the Esquimaux wholly depend upon it for their winter food, and von Schrenck alludes 

 to the great importance of this animal to the natives of Amoor Land. 



26. THE RIBBON SEAL. 



G-ENERAL HISTORY.— The first account of the present species was published by Pennant, 

 under the name " Eubbou Seal," in the first quarto edition of Lis " History of Quadrupeds," in 1 781 

 (vol. ii, p. 52.3). 



Geographical distribution. — According to Pallas, the present species, Histrioplwca fas- 

 data (Zimm.) Gill, occurs around the Kurile Islands and in the Ochotsk Sea. Von Schrenck states 

 that Hr. Wosncssenski obtained specimens that were killed on the eastern coast of Kamtchatka, 

 and that he himself saw skins of examples killed on the southern coast of the Ochotsk Sea, where, 

 however, the species seems to be of rare occurrence. He further states that it occurs also in the 

 Gulf of Tartary, between the island of Saghalien and the mainland, but apparently not to the 

 southward of that island, the southern point of which (in latitude 40° N.) he believes to be the 

 southern limit of its distribution. Mr. Dall secured specimens taken at Cape Itomanzoff.' Captain 

 Scammon states, "It is found upon the coast of Alaska, bordering on Bering Sea, and the natives 

 of Ouualaska recognize it as an occasional visitor to the Aleutian Islands. . . . The Eussian 

 traders who formerly visited Cape EomanzofF, from Saint Michael's, Norton Sound, frequently 

 brought back the skins of the male Histriophoca, which were used for covering trunks and for other 

 ornamental purposes." This writer also states that he "observed a herd of Seals upon the beaches 

 at Point Eeyes, California," in April, 1852, which, " without close examination, answered to the 

 descdption given by Gill" of the present species. Probably, however, a "close examination" 

 would have shown them to be different, as no examples are yet known from the Californian coast, 

 and the locality is far beyond the probable limits of the habitat. Its known range may, therefore, 

 be given as Bering's Sea southward — on the American coast to the Aleutian Islands, and on the 

 Asiatic coast to the island of Saghalien. 



Habits. — Almost nothing apjiears to have been as yet recorded respecting the habits of the 

 Eibbon Seal. Von Schrenck gives us no information of importance, and we search equally in vain 

 for information elsewhere. All of the four specimens obtained by Wosnessenski were taken on 

 the eastern coast of Kamtchatka, at the mouth of the Kamtchatka Eiver, about the end of March. 

 According to the report of hunters, it very rarely appears at this locality so early in the season, 

 being not often met with there before the early part of May. The natives use its skins, in common 

 with those of other species, for covering their snow-shoes. 



27. THE WEST INDIAN SEAL. 



Geographical distribution. — Eespecting the present geographical distribution of the 

 West Indian Seal, Monachus tropicalis Gray, I am indebted for valuable information to Mr. E. W. 

 Kemp, who, under date of "Key West, Fla., April 29, 1878," wrote me as follows: "Some two or 

 three years ago there were two seen near Cape Florida. It was supposed that they had strayed 

 from some of the Bahama Islands, as there are some few to be found in that vicinitj^ lam 

 informed by reliable parties that Seals are to be found in great numbers at the Anina Islands, 

 situated between the Isle of Pines and Yucatan. One of my informants says that as he was sailing 

 about the islands fishing and wrecking, he and his party discovered a number of Seals on one of 

 them, and went on shore to kill some, merely 'for fun.' On nearing the shore the Seals got into 



' The National Miiseuin possesses four fiue specimens, two obtained by Sir. Dall, in lfc'80, and two by Mr. E. W" 

 Nelson, as well as several large poaches, each made of an entire skin of this species by the Esliimos. 



