36 
PHOCIDiE. 
The Wild Boar, Sus Scrofa, Linn. 
This animal was at one period common in Ireland, but has long since 
become extinct. 
In reference to this species, Dr. Scouler remarks (p. 226) : — 
“ The wild boar was formerly the most abundant of the wild animals of Ire- 
land. According to Giraldus Cambrensis, they occurred in vast numbers, but 
they were a small, deformed, and cowardly race. They continued to be plenti- 
ful down to the 17th century. I have not been able to ascertain the date of 
their extinction.” 
e Tusks of this species dug up in our bogs are often of goodly dimen- 
sions. 
The Gigantic Irish Deer or Fossil Elk. 
Cervus Megaceros. 
— Iiibernicus, Desm. 
Megaceros — Owen. 
We have not discovered amongst Mr. Thompson’s MSS. any notes respecting 
this extinct animal ; but the reader will find full information on the subject in 
Professor Owen’s “ History of British Fossil Mammalia and Birds,” and the 
several works there quoted. 
“ Remarks on the Natural History of the Fossil Elk,” by Dr. Scouler, ap- 
peared in the Journ. of the Geol. Society of Dublin, vol. i. p. 197, with refer- 
ences to other authorities. 
Professor Owen’s work likewise contains a notice of the discovery of fossil 
teeth of a species of Horse in Ireland. — Ed.] 
SECTION II— MAMMALIA AQUATICA. 
The Common Seal, Phoca vitulina , Linn., 
Is frequent in suitable localities around the coast. Dr. Ball, in a paper 
“ on the species of seals inhabiting the Irish seas,” published in the Royal 
Irish Academy’s Transactions for 1838, gives interesting information on 
this species. The following is an extract : — 
“ On the 30th of September last I received fipm my friend Mr. Yates a living 
specimen, taken two days before at Lissadell, County Sligo. It appeared in 
perfect health, was about three feet eight inches in length, and its short muzzle, 
high forehead, and large eyes, strongly distinguish it from Halichcerus. When 
wet, it is almost black, variegated with whitish slate colour, and is somewhat 
lighter on the breast than on the other parts : when dry, it is of a light, pearly, 
grey colour. ' It had, when I received it, a portion of long fawn-coloured hair 
on its flanks, evidently the remains of a more general coat, but this fell off in a 
few days. On turning this seal out on the grass at the Zoological Gardens it 
advanced fearlessly on the person nearest to it, and was not to be turned aside, 
though pretty smartly struck with a heavy cloth. Its mode of battle is, when 
within a proper distance, to turn on its side, and scratch with its uppermost 
fore-paw, which it is able to extend considerably, and use with great power and 
