NOTES FROM MINUTE-BOOKS. 203 



24</j February 1863. — The secretary then read a paper "On the 

 occurrence of the harp seal (Phoca grcenlandica) in Loch Tarbert, Jura, 

 with remarks on the habits of some other species frequenting the 

 western islands," by Henry D. Graham, Esq., Lochgilphead, Corre- 

 sponding Member. Mr Graham had seen three of these rare visitors 

 to British waters in the above-mentioned locality while exploring the 

 loch in company with a friend. The seals were observed among a herd 

 of the common species occupying a series of shelving rocks about 300 

 or 400 yards off sliore. One of the keepers who was of the party 

 having an excellent telescope used in stalking deer, Mr Graham and 

 his friends could distinctly make out the markings which characterise 

 the harp seal ; and as the animals remained in full view for three 

 hours, constantly watched, the utmost care was taken to note down 

 the necessary particulars for after discrimination. Since observing the 

 animals, Mr Graham, after repeated inquiries, satisfied himself of at 

 least other three authentic cases of the capture of white seals of extra- 

 ordinary size, one of these occurring in Loch Scridian, Mull, under the 

 observation of Mr M'Kinnon ; and as a result of these inquiries he had 

 besides acquired some highly interesting information respecting the 

 larger species of seal to be found on the outer islands. These he com- 

 municated in his excellent paper, from which it would appear that, 

 under the name of tapvaist or tabeist, the islanders are familiar with at 

 least three different species attaining a large size. Last spring he had 

 received from a friend — a native of the Hebrides — the skin of a 

 recently killed young seal of about a month old. It was a pure white, 

 and measured four feet in length without the flippers. This skin was 

 accompanied by a few notes, stating that the species was well known, 

 and that in an adult state it is seven or eight feet long, the body being 

 fully thicker than a herring barrel. The female has her young in 

 November, and it is found three or four yards above high-water mark, 

 sometimes quite among the ferns and heather. The young do not take 

 to the water till six weeks old, when they weigh 70 or 80 lb. If dis- 

 turbed, however, the old one will make off with her calf, which she 

 does by taking it upon her back, and so plunging into the sea. Even 

 after a long dive, on rising to the surface the young one remains 

 securely on its mother's back. She comes to suckle it regularly at high 

 water ; but her instinct teaches her to choose such spots as render it 

 impossible for any one either to approach or lay in wait for them with- 



