136 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



being exactly like that of a cow's calf). It progressed along in 

 this slow way, taking frequent rests, and bawling each time, 

 until it got into the water ; and whenever the calf called the 

 mother became excited, furiously dashing about in the water, 

 but never uttering a sound. From the size and weakness of 

 this little Seal, it could have been only a few hours old, but 

 where it was born I cannot think, for there are no caves nearer 

 than Killcummin Head, seven or eight miles off, and the little 

 creature could not have come that distance. 



I have shot both species, but never killed a Common Seal of 

 greater length than between five and six feet, but the Grey Seals 

 grow to a far greater size and weight. Some years ago, about 

 the end of May, I shot a female Grey Seal, 5 ft. 11 in, in length 

 from nose to end of hind flippers, girth 3 ft. 8 in., and weighing 

 217 lb. On skinning and opening her, we took a fully matured 

 young one, 2 ft. 2 in. in length, covered with a thick coat of long 

 white hair. The blubber of the old one, when melted, produced 

 four gallons of pure clear oil. 



The old bulls of this species attain far greater size and weight. 

 One shot by a friend a -couple of months later weighed 314 lb., 

 and, though so much larger than the female, only produced 

 three gallons of oil. In my experience, the old bull Seals pro- 

 duce far less oil than the females, while the small year-old Seals 

 produce more than either, in proportion to their size. Another 

 old bull, shot by the same friend (a splendid rifle-shot), was 

 obtained after a long stalk over the sands. We observed the herd 

 of about a dozen lying on the sloping edge of the sand-bank 

 quite below the level of the sandy flat ; so my friend, making a 

 wide detour inside, crept down on hands and knees opposite to 

 where the Seals were resting, quite oblivious of any danger ; he 

 then lay down, working himself, with his elbows, along on his 

 chest, until he got within twenty yards of the Seals ; then 

 quietly rising, rifle in hand, and choosing out the largest of the 

 herd, he fired at the middle of his back, sending the bullet right 

 through his lungs. Instantly on the shot the entire herd 

 scrambled into the water, and we thought the wounded beast was 

 lost ; but, to our surprise, he rose a few yards from the bank, 

 then dived, but rose again from the same place, as if unable to 

 remain any time under water from the blood filling his lungs. 



