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Show 422 MR. R. BROWN ON THE SEALS OF GREENLAND. [June 25, and I have found that they were composed of the old males and females and the bluebacks, which must have followed the old ones in the north and formed a junction with them some time in June. There is another opinion, that the old females remain and bring their young with them north; but all our facts are against such a theory (Wallace). These migrations may vary with the temperature of the season, and are influenced by it; it is possible that in the Spitzbergen sea as the winter approaches they keep in advance of it and retreat southward to the limit of perpetual ice, off the coast of Greenland, somewhere near Iceland, where they spend the winter. W e are, however, at a loss regarding the winter habits of these Seals in that region ; here no one winters, and there are no inhabitants to note their migrations and ways of life. Different is it, however, on the Greenland shores of Davis's Strait, where in the Danish settlements the Seals form, both with the Whites and Eskimo, the staple article of food and commerce, and accordingly their habits and arrival are well known and eagerly watched. The Atarsoak, as it is commonly called by the Eskimo, the " Svartsidede Saelhund" (Black-sided Sealhound) of the Danes, is the most common Seal in all South Greenland. It is equally by this Seal that the Eskimo lives, and the "Kongl. Gronlandske Handel" make their commerce. In South Greenland when the Seal generally is talked of, or a good or bad year spoken about, everybody thinks of this Seal; on the other hand, in North Greenland Pagomys fcetidus and Callocephalus vitulinus* are the most common. These last two species are the only Seals which can be properly said to have their home in Greenland, affecting ice-fjords and rarely going far from the coast. This is not tbe case with P. groenlandicus; at certain times of the year they completely leave the coast; therefore the Seal-hunting in South Greenland is more dependent upon contingencies than in North Greenland. This Seal arrives regularly in September in companies travelling from the south to north, keeping among the islands; occasionally at this time individuals detach themselves from the drove and go up the inlets. The Seal at this period is fatter, and continues so until the winter time. In October and November is the great catching, lessening in December. Very few are seen in January, and in February almost none ; but regularly towards the end of May they return to the south of Greenland, and in June further north. The Seal is at this time in very poor condition, and remains for the most part in the fjords. For the second time they disappear in July, again to return regularly in September t. It is therefore seen that this Seal regularly comes and goes twice a year. * I was always under the impression that this Seal was rather rare; but as the return of its capture is not given separately from the former, it is impossible to say accurately. t This varies a little with latitude &c.; e. g. this Seal leaves the vicinity of Jakobshavn ice-fjord about the middle of July or beginning of August, and comes back in October very fat. In August and September there are none on that part of the coast. |