EARLESS SEALS. 
1 35 
Distribution. 
that, with the exception of the last one or two in the upper and the last one in the 
lower jaw, they are implanted in the jaws by means of only a single root each. 
The grey seal is a rather large species, full-grown males usually measuring 
about 8 feet in length, although occasionally reaching as much as 9 feet; these 
measurements being taken from the tip of the nose to the end of the hind-feet. 
The general colour of the fur is silvery or yellowish grey, becoming lighter on the 
under-parts, and marked with a number of blackish or dusky ill-defined spots. 
There is, however, great individual variation in this respect, some specimens being 
uniformly silvery or yellowish white, with little or no trace of spots, while others 
are almost black. The young are always white or yellowish white at birth, but, 
as a rule, soon acquire darker tints. 
The grey seal, according to Mr. Allen, is one of the least common 
of the northern members of the family, and has a somewhat restricted 
distribution, being only found within comparatively narrow limits in the North 
Atlantic. On the shores of northern Europe it appears to be commoner than on 
the American side; and it occurs in Iceland, Scandinavia as far north as Finmark, 
the British Islands, and probably Greenland. It appears, however, to be unknown 
in Spitzbergen and the islands of the Arctic Sea, and is not met with, at all 
events as a regular inhabitant, on the shores of the English Channel. On the 
American coast this species extends as far south as Sable Island, oft' Nova Scotia, 
while northwards it is met with occasionally in the Straits of Labrador and Belle 
Isle, and ranges as far as Disco Island. 
With the possible exception of the bearded seal, the present 
species is peculiar in breeding in the autumn; the young being pro¬ 
duced in the Shetland Islands from September to November. There the grey seal 
is commonly found associating in pairs, and frequenting the most exposed positions. 
Describing the habits of this seal in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Mr. Lucas writes 
that “ it is fond of crawling out on the rocks, especially on sunny days, when it will 
lie basking in the sunshine for hours at a time. The seals do not come on shore at 
any convenient spot, but at a limited number of chosen localities, and these vary 
according to the force and direction of the wind. Except in very light breezes the 
lee-side of the island is selected, not entirely on account of the difficulty of effecting 
a landing on the windward side, but also because the seal relies very largely upon 
its acute senses of smell and hearing to warn it of approaching danger from the 
land. The chosen landing-places are where a shelf of rock, raised but little above 
the level of the sea, descends vertically for several feet beneath, thus enabling the 
seal to plunge head-first into the water and disappear at once from sight. Before 
landing, the animal will swim back and forth several times with head raised, and 
eye, ear, and nose on the alert to detect any sign of danger, the wary nature of the 
creature being well shown by the fact that almost immediately after emerging from 
the water the animal turns completely around so as to lie with the head seaward, 
and in readiness for an instant dive. The fairer the day and the lighter the breeze 
the more readily the seals come ashore, while during rough weather they not only 
do not land so often but are more watchful when they do come out.” This species 
is less docile and intelligent than the common seal, and cannot be tamed in the 
A specimen measuring 8 feet in length weighed nearly 400 lbs. 
Habits. 
same manner. 
