PART II.-PINNIPEDIA. 



INTRODUCTION. 



A VARIETT of marine animals inhabit the western coast of North America which 

 are scientifically classed under the head of Pinnipedia, but familiarly known under 

 the general name of Seals. Those described in the following monograph are enu- 

 merated, and their technical names given, at the conclusion of the catalogue appended 

 to this work. 



All the pinnipedes periodically inhabit botli the water and the land adjacent, 

 Their food consists of fish, crustaceans, and various other marine invertebrates 

 found about the shores, and of sea -fowls. All the diflerent species of pinnipedes 

 bring forth and suckle their young in a similar manner to other mammals. The 

 general form of the animal is elongated, with quite full anterior proportions, 

 exclusive of the head and neck. The posterior part of the body is tapering, and 

 terminates at the junction with the hind limbs. Their appendages for locomotion 

 are commonly called flippers. The anterior, or side ones, nearly correspond to the 

 fore limbs of carnivorous animals ; and, in some species, they take closely the form 

 of the pectorals of Cetaceans. Where one set of flippers is furnished with claAvs, 

 or nails, the other is nearly or quite destitute of them ; and, whether it be the 

 anterior or posterior members which are thus armed, it is these of which the 

 animal principally makes use in its movements upon the land. These flippers are 

 very flexible, and seem much better suited for propulsion in the water than for 

 terrestrial locomotion. The body of the animal is usually covered with short 

 and bristly hair ; but in some few species their inner coating is a thick, rich 

 fur with long, glistening hairs over all. The geographical distribution of the 

 pinnipedes is unlimited, the family being distributed in different groups over every 

 zone and both hemispheres. 



Mabine Maiimals. — 1.5. [113] 



