On the Habits of the Phoca. 541 
Our second species in point of size is by much the most common, 
and is known among the inhabitants of our western isles by the 
name of Raun or seal. I presume it to be the Phoca minima of 
naturalists, our common seal, of which, in spite of its frequency, the 
distinctive characters and synonymy are still but vaguely ascertained* 
Our third species is of considerably smaller size, and is known 
to the natives by the appellation of Bodach or old man. Though 
not so rare as that first alluded to, it is by no means common. I 
am not aware that any specific appellation has been bestowed upon 
it by naturalists, nor do I know that it has yet been described se- 
cundum artem, or even entered in any of the scientific catalogues. 
I have already stated that the Tapvaist or great seal is observed 
occasionally on shore with individuals of other kinds ; but notwith- 
standing this it may be characterized as being of solitary habits, and 
as frequenting the most remote and undisturbed situations. It is 
neither so lively nor so watchful as the common seal, nor is it so 
easily alarmed. It resembles that species in its general colouring, 
but may at once be distinguished from it by its enormous size. 
One of the most characteristic and distinctive traits in its history is 
derived from its period of production, viz. the end of September or 
commencement of October, while that of the common seal is usually 
the beginning of June. In the young also, of these two species, 
there is a notable difference. That of the Tapvaist when whelped, 
if I may use the expression, is covered with white hair, greatly re- 
sembling the short coarse coating of a goat. This covering conti- 
nues"Yor many weeks, but is at length cast, like the nestling plu- 
mage of a bird, and the creature then assumes much the same livery 
as the young of the common seal, the prevailing hue of which is 
somewhat darker than that of the adults of either kind. 
The young of the Tapvaist or great seal, (I avoid using the term 
Phoca barbata, because I think our native writers have sometimes 
applied the names of continental authors, without due considera- 
tion, or a requisite comparison of characters,) is invariably whelped 
above water-mark, and, it is said, during spring tides. They re- 
main in a helpless condition on the rocks, for several weeks, before 
they can swim, and during this time they cast most of their long 
hair. When one of these is discovered by our island sportsmen, they 
do not immediately approach it, for so strong is the sense of smell, 
on the part of the parents, that they would certainly take alarm on 
scenting human footsteps. The sportsman, therefore, conceals him- 
self behind some point of rock within gun shot, and there awaits the 
onward flowing of the tide, with which the kind but cautious mo- 
ther invariably returns to suckle her still helpless young. The rifle 
then achieves its deadly work. 
