that excellent Naturalist, to whom we are anxious to confess ourselves indebted for much instruction,

may find that this is also a mistake, which we

have been able to detect, chiefly through the information afforded by our intelligent countryman, Mr Weddell.

GENUS PELAGIUS.

We now proceed to the Genus Pelagius of M. F. Cuvier, which he states differs from his former genera more than they differ from each other. The head, instead of having the short snout of the former, or the slender snout of the latter, has one which is broad as well as elongated at its extremity, with an arched chaufrin. The teeth are the same in number with those of the Leptonyx, but their form is different. The upper incisors are indented transversely at their edge, so that the lower incisors, which are simple, fill up these indentations when the jaws are shut. The molars are thick and conical, and have only very minute rudimentary points, in front and behind.-There is but one ascertained species, which is

THE MONK SEAL.

Ph. Monachus.—HERMANN.

PLATE XIII.

Phoca Monachus, Hermann, Gmel. Desm. No. 372. Pelagius Monachus, F. Cuv. White-bellied Seal, Buff. Cuv.

BARON CUVIER remarks that, after the Common Seal, • Mem. d'Hist. Nat. de Berlin, t. iv.

this is perhaps the species best known. It frequents the southern shores of Europe, and has frequently been examined by those who are competent to the task. Considering its habitat, and the old descriptions which remain, it is probably the species which was most familiar to the ancients. A property which was ascribed to its skin may be regarded as a striking exhibition of the extent of superstition, and of conscious guilt and timidity. By the undaunted Romans the skins of these Seals were considered as an efficacious preservative against lightning; and hence tents were constructed of them, under which they sheltered themselves during thunder storms. It is also mentioned by Suetonius, that such was the Emperor Augustus' dread of lightning, that, while at his usual place of residence, he resorted to a vaulted retreat under ground, on the approach of thunder; and when on a journey, he never travelled without carrying along with him one of these skins.*

For the description of this species we turn to the lively pen of Buffon, and the minute details of M. F. Cuvier. The former has given a particular description of a male, and the other of a female, which were at different times exhibited to the public. Both were taken in the Adriatic, and they agreed exactly in their general appearance; as did a third, captured in the same Sea, which was examined by Baron Cuvier in the Museum of Turin.

* See Memoir on Thunder, by M. Arago. Edin. New Phil. Journ. vol. xxvi.

The White-bellied Seal, says Buffon, we saw alive in the month of December 1778. Its aspect is mild, and its disposition not fierce; its eyes are quick and indicate intelligence, or, at all events, they express the sentiments of affection and attachment to its master, whom it obeys with the utmost readiness. At his order we have seen it lay down its head, turn in various directions, roll round and round, raise the fore-part of its body quite erect in its trough, and shake hands with him. It responded to his voice and signs by a hoarse sound, which seemed to proceed from the lower part of the throat, and which might be compared to the hoarse bellowing of a young bull; it appeared the animal produced. this sound both in inspiration and expiration, but it was clearer during the former, and rougher during the latter. Previous to being tamed, it bit its master furiously when interfered with, but when subdued, it became quite mild, so that it might be handled with all freedom. You might thrust the hand into its mouth, and rest your head on that of the Seal. When its master called, it answered, however distant he might be; it looked round for him when it did not see him, and on discovering him after an absence of a few minutes, never failed to testify joy by a loud murmur. Some of its accents were sweet and expressive, and seemed the language of pleasure and delight.

But, though its natural disposition was mild, yet, from causes probably connected with its confinement,

it was liable to occasional fits of irritation and violence. At these times it was dangerous, and even ferocious, for then it knew no one, nor regarded its master's authority, so that he could not approach it till after several hours return of calm composure. On one occasion it seized him by the leg, and it was with much difficulty it was forced to let go its hold, by forcing an instrument into its mouth: at another time it attacked a great dog, extensively lacerated its head with its teeth, and displayed the blindest rage against every object that came in its way. These paroxysms becoming worse and worse, it at length pined away, and died in August 1779.

The period between its several inspirations was very long, and in the interval the nostrils were accurately closed, during which time they appeared like two longitudinal slits on the end of the snout. The creature opened them to make a strong expiration, which was immediately followed by an inspi-. ration, after which it closed them as before; and often allowed two minutes to intervene without taking another breath. The breathing was accompanied with a loud snuffling noise. This animal, like its congeners, slept frequently during the day; its snoring was heard at a considerable distance, and it could not be raised without difficulty from its slumbers. When drowsy, it did not promptly attend to its master, and it was only by putting food under its very nose that it could be excited to its accustomed energy and vivacity. It then raised its.