Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/98

70 Mr. Bell does not describe the well-marked varieties of the fox, which many sportsmen suppose to be species.

Of the seal tribe no less than four are enumerated: the common seal (Phoca vitulina), the harp seal (P. grœnlandica), the great seal (P. barbata), and the grey seal (Halichærus Gryphus). Of these the first and last only can be included among British animals. Mr. Bell also gives the walrus (Trichecus Rosmarus) as one of the seal tribe.—The following interesting account of seals is by Mr. Ball of Dublin.

" When I was quite a child, I took much pleasure in watching seals, from the coasts of Cork and Waterford, and early became impressed with an idea that I could distinguish at least four species. Some years ago, on stating my opinions to some zoological friends, I was induced to set about collecting specimens and information from various parts of the coast. For a considerable time I procured only one species; and finding this labelled in our museums as Phoca vitulina, I took it for granted that it was so, until I procured a cranium of a very different species from Sligo, which on examination I found to belong to the true Ph. vitulina. I then sought to ascertain to what species the former specimens belonged; and, kindly aided by Dr. Scouler, searched in vain all the authorities to which we could get access. Failing to obtain information, I was induced to bring the matter before the British Association; when Professor Nilsson recognised the crania I produced as those of the seal described by him as Halichærus griseus, ''Ph. Gryphus,'' Fab.

"'My observations on the habits of the animal do not altogether accord with those of the learned Professor, who stated that it was solitary in the Baltic, whilst here I have seen it often in small parties, and learned from fishermen that they have noticed as many as thirteen congregated on a rock. I may remark, that to observe seals on a populous coast requires great patience and a practised eye; for the animals are much on the alert; and experience seems to have taught them the prudence of retiring to their caves, or going out to sea, on the approach of man: so that unless surprised, or discovered from a distance and cautiously advanced on, an observer has little chance of getting near them.

"'Colour, in the present instance, appears to be a character of little value; for in the many specimens I have seen of both sexes and of all ages, I do not remember that any two were precisely similar. The very young females seem to be generally of a dull yellowish white, with rather long hair, which falls off in about a month or six weeks, and gives place to a shorter and more shining coat, variously blotched with blackish grey: this is brighter at first, and gradually grows more dull, and the blotching more indistinct on the upper parts, as the animal advances in age; whilst on the breast and lower parts the blotches in some specimens show almost as distinctly as the spots on a leopard. From a peculiarity in the hair of the adult, it being considerably recurved, and as if its upper surface were scraped flat with a sharp knife, the animal, when dry, and with its head turned towards the spectator, appears of a uniform silvery grey, whilst viewed in the opposite direction, it appears altogether of a sooty brown colour; the spots or blotches being only visible on a side view. The only male specimen I possess died young: it has long yellowish hair, slightly tinged with brownish black on the back; it is black on the muzzle, chin, and cheeks, extending round the eyes, but not to the upper part of the nose; and the palms of the fore paws are black.