415 
XV. 
ON THE OCCUrjfENCE OF 
THE GREY SEAL (HALICIICERUS GRYPIIUS) 
ON TilE NORFOLK COAST. 
])V Thomas Southwell, F.Z.S. 
Read 2 Sth March, 1882. 
On tho 29th Docemher, 1881, J^Ir. F. J. CTesswell, of Lynn, informed 
me that a largo Seal and its young one, o^ddently but recently horn, 
had a sliort time iiroviously been killed on the Long Sand, in the 
A\ ash, adding, “I have little doubt they are what you name in your 
hook, tho Grey Seal, and are quite different from tho Common Seal 
of our AYash.” As Phoca vituUna is by no means uncommon in 
tlio Wash, and is quite well known to IMr. Cresswell, I naturally 
felt anxious to establish so grand an addition to the Fauna of this 
county, and at once took measures, as I thought, to secure the skull 
but after a few days on again inquiring, much to my regret, I 
learned, that as the skull was a good deal injured, it was considered 
useless, and, therefore, with the carcasses of both individuals, had 
been converted into bait for Whelks {Baccinum undatam). This 
was most unfortunate, as in tho Phocidre, the cranial characters 
afford the most certain means of determining the species where 
any doubt exists ; but through the kindness of Mr. Cresswell and 
]Mr. Garrod, to whom they belong, I have been enabled to examine 
tho skins of both specimens, which I now exhibit. 
From subsequent inquiries I learned, that on the 24th December, 
a i\Ir. Goodson, a Trinity pilot, and his son, when in the neighbour- 
hood of the Long Sand, in tho Lynn Roads, saw a very large Seal 
watching over the dead carcass of its young one. On attempting 
to capture her, the old female immediately showed light, and w;vs 
not secured until after very rough usage they succeeded in killing 
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