Family PHOCID^. 
Genus Halichoerus 
THE GREY SEAL. 
Halickcerus grypus^ Fabricius. 
Plate 13. 
Until quite recent years little was known of the habits and pelage 
of this fine species, which was often confused with the large Bearded Seal 
of the Arctic seas, Erignathus barbatus, and we owe much to Mr. Millais 
for the full and accurate account of its life history, which, after years of 
observation around our coasts, he has given in his Mammals of Great 
Britain and Ireland, vol. i. pp. 252-298. According to this authority 
" four distinct types are found, as well as every intermediate form between 
them, that is to say, specimens may occur which are composite of two, 
three or even four types." These types are described as follows : i. The 
'Black Male; 2. The Light Qrey Male; 3. The Blotched Male; 4. The 
Qrey Spotted Male. 
The first and last mentioned are shown on the upper and lower 
part of Plate 13, with one of the intermediate forms between the 
two. 
Around the throats of the adult males, and best seen in autumn when 
their coats are in good order, are several ridges of dark hair, forming 
bands which look like tarry ropes. 
The colour of the female runs into two types, either light grey above 
and white below with some dark spots on the throat, shoulders and 
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