Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/475



the summer of 1897-98 I paid a visit, in the brig 'Edward,' to this island of the South Indian Ocean. I did so by the invitation of Mr. Hans Gundersen, and acted in the capacity of naturalist.

While doing research work I could not but notice certain habits in the lives of the enormous amphibious mammals, and a few general remarks thereon may prove interesting.

The southern Seals are not so strong in species as those of the northern seas. The distribution of the total twenty-five species, including a Walrus, is four in the southern hemisphere, and twenty in the northern. One is peculiar to both, and this is the one under present consideration, and specially called Macrorhinus leoninus. It is to be found in California, and is probably circumpolar in the Australis.

Certain of the Seals are very local, and have reached peculiar places on the earth. One is confined to the Caspian Sea, and Zool. 4th ser. vol. IV., October, 1900.