70 Quadrupeds, 



Mr. Bell does not describe the well-marked varieties of the fox, which 

 many sportsmen suppose to be species. 



Of the seal tribe no less than four are enumerated : the common 

 seal {Plioca vittilma), the harp seal (P. groenlandica), the great seal 

 (P. harhata), and the grey seal {Halich(Brus Gryphus). Of these the 

 first and last only can be included among British animals. Mr. Bell 

 also gives the walrus {Trichemis Rosmarus) as one of the seal tribe. — 

 The following interesting account of seals is by Mr. Ball of Dublin. 



" ' When I was quite a child, I took much pleasure in watching seals, from the 

 coasts of Cork and Waterford, and early became impressed with an idea that I could 

 distinguish at least four species. Some years ago, on stating my opinions to some zo- 

 ological friends, I was induced to set about collecting specimens and information from 

 various parts of the coast. For a considerable time I procured only one species ; and 

 finding this labelled in our museums as Phoca vitulina, I took it for granted that it 

 was so, until I procured a cranium of a very different species from Sligo, which on ex- 

 amination I found to belong to the true Ph. vitulina. I then sought to ascertain to 

 what species the former specimens belonged ; and, kindly aided by Dr. Scouler, search- 

 ed in vain all the authorities to which we could get access. Failing to obtain infor- 

 mation, I was induced to bring the matter before the British Association ; when Pro- 

 fessor Nilsson recognised the crania I produced as those of the seal described by him 

 as Halichaerus griseus. Ph. Gryphus, Fab. 



" ' My observations on the habits of the animal do not altogether accord with those 

 of the learned Professor, who stated that it was solitary in the Baltic, whilst here I 

 have seen it often in small parties, and learned from fishermen that they have noticed 

 as many as thirteen congregated on a rock. I may remark, that to observe seals on a 

 populous coast requires great patience and a practised eye ; for the animals are much 

 on the alert ; and experience seems to have taught them the prudence of retiring to 

 their caves, or going out to sea, on the approach of man : so that unless surprised, or 

 discovered from a distance and cautiously advanced on, an observer has little chance 

 of getting near them. 



"' Colour, in the present instance, appears to be a character of little value; for in 

 the liiany specimens I have seen of both sexes and of all ages, I do not remember that 

 any two were precisely similar. The very young females seem to be generally of a dull 

 yellowish white, with rather long hair, which falls oft" in about a month or six weeks, 

 and gives place to a shorter and more shining coat, variously blotched with blackish 

 grey : this is brighter at first, and gradually grows more dull, and the blotching more 

 indistinct on the upper parts, as the animal advances in age ; whilst on the breast and 

 lower parts the blotches in some specimens show almost as distinctly as the spots on a 

 leopard. From a peculiarity in the hair of the adult, it being considerably recurved, 

 and as if its upper surface were scraped flat with a sharp knife, the animal, when dry, 

 and with its head turned towards the spectator, appears of a uniform silvery grey, whilst 

 viewed in the opposite direction, it appears altogether of a sooty brown colour ; the 

 spots or blotches being only visible on a side view. The only male specimen I possess 

 died young : it has long yellowish hair, slightly tinged with brownish black on the 

 back; it is black on the muzzle, chin, and cheeks, extending round the eyes, but not 

 to the upper part of the nose ; and the palms ol" the fore paws are black. 



