THE MARBLED SEAL.

PLATE IV.

Phoca discolor. Calocephalus discolor, Fr. Cuv. C. Marbré, Less.

We next introduce another variety captured on the French coast, which was originally identified, but subsequently dissociated from the true P. vitulina. Baron Cuvier states, that it does not appear to be a variety proceeding from age and sex only, though its cranium, he adds, does not sensibly vary from the Common Seal.* Professor Nilsson, we understand, regards it as a distinct species, and applies to it the name annellata.

M. F. Cuvier remarks-" I was for a considerable time in possession of the individual on which I found this species. My specimen was young, and its size appeared to correspond with that of the Common Seal." The colours, however, in which it was clad were very different. All the ground-work of its coat was of a very deep grey, varied with whit

Oss. Foss. v. 201.

ish irregular lines, which formed, especially on the back and flanks, a kind of marbling, which was more marked when the animal was in the water than when it was dry. According to the Baron, the coat, wholly of a blackish-brown, is marked with tortuous and irregular lines of whitish-grey, which form islands or marble spots; the under part is paler, and its greyish lines are broader and yellower. There are other individuals in which the whitishgrey of the abdomen prevails more extensively, mounting up the sides; and others, again, in which the markings on the back have a resemblance to the eye.

The specimen referred to was taken on the coast of France, and was kept several weeks in the Royal Menagerie. M. F. Cuvier observes-"Except in some Monkeys, I have never known any wild animal which was more easily tamed, or attached itself more strongly. When it first came to the Jardin des Plantes, it endeavoured to escape, when I wished to touch it; but, in a very few days, all its apprehensions vanished: it had discovered my intentions, and rather desired my caresses than feared them. It was in the same enclosure with two small dogs, which amused themselves by frequently mounting on its back, with barking, and even biting it; and, although these sports, and the vivacity of the attending movements, were little in harmony with its own actions and habits, yet it appreciated their motive, and seemed pleased with them. It never offered any other retaliation than slight blows with its paws, the object of which was to encourage

rather than repress the liberties taken. If the puppies escaped from the enclosure, the Seal endeavoured to follow them, notwithstanding the difficulty it experienced in creeping along the ground, covered with stones and rubbish. When the weather was cold, the three animals huddled closely and kindly together, that they might contribute to their mutual warmth."

The creature did not exhibit any alarm at the presence of man or animals, and did not flee unless when run upon in such a way as to threaten its being trod upon, when it got out of the way to avoid injury. Though very voracious, it did not manifest any opposition or anger when robbed of its food. "Often," says the learned Naturalist, "have I tried him when pressed with hunger, and he never opposed my will; and I have seen the dogs, to whom he was much attached, amuse themselves when he was feeding, by snatching the fish from his mouth, without his exhibiting any rage. On the other hand, when their mess was supplied to the Seals, (for he had a companion,) as they were lying in the same trough, a battle was the usual result, and blows with their paws followed, and as usually happens, the more feeble and timid left the field to the stronger."

Mammif. Livr. 1919.

THE BEARDED, OR GREAT SEAL.

Phoca barbata.

PLATE V.

SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.-Muzzle large; lips tumid. Third toe of the fore-feet longer than the others; fur dark coloured; teats four. Incisor teeth small and conical, the outer the larger; canine teeth conical and slightly curved; grinders in a direct series, with small intervals nearly uniform, having a large conical, and two small lateral points.

Phoca barbata, Fab. Mul. Cuv. Desm. (No. 378.) Calocephalus barbatus, F. Cuv. Urksuk of Crantz. Great Seal, Pen. Le Grand Phoque, Buff. Haaf fish? of North of Scotland.

As we are not aware that any authentic representa• This description of the teeth is derived from Mr MacGillivray in Nat. Lib. vii. 213.

K

tion of this species has hitherto been published,* we must say a word or two on our plate. The individual from which the engraving is taken was brought from the Arctic regions by the late Mr Latta, Surgeon, Leith, and was presented to the Edinburgh Museum by Bindon Blood, Esq. From the state of the preparation we cannot judge so satisfactorily as we could wish, but, at the same time, we regard it as a specimen of the P. barbata. It is nine feet one inch long from the mouth to the tip of the tail; the tail measures seven inches. The fore-paw, it will be seen, is not shaped like those previously described, but somewhat assumes the appearance of the human hand, as will be more particularly stated in the sequel. The claws are very strong and black, carinated above; the hide all over is of a uniform dark fawn colour. Along with the Great Seal, we have associated a small white one, a specimen of which is in the Edinburgh Museum, scarcely three feet long, which has been supposed to be the young of this species. The white colour, it will be observed, differs entirely from the yellow shade appearing in those represented in Plate III., and is of a pure milk white colour all over. These figures, it should be remarked, being taken from excellent specimens, which are genuine and authentic, possess an intrinsic value,

The Great Seal of Parson, Phil. Trans. vol. xlii.; and of Buffon, Suppl. t. vi. pl. 45, are now ascertained to belong to the Grey Seal; which see.