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Show 1875.] MR. J. W . CLARK ON EARED SEALS. 673 right side has fallen out, and the alveolus is filled up. I have compared them with the type of Gypsophoca tropicalis, and can detect no difference whatever between them. I was allowed, by the kindness of M . Milne-Edwards, to examine three stuffed specimens of this species at Paris, brought home by M . Velain, at the same time, from the same place. M y skulls were bought at Vasseur's shop, and had been extracted from skins belonging to some of the ship's officers. 1. A young specimen. Sex not noted. ft. in. Length along curve of back, from tip of nose to root of tail 2 6 Length of ear 1 „ tail 1| General colour of pelage a shining black, which on the breast and under the body has a slight brownish tinge. Individual hairs light brown at the roots. Length about 1 inch. An abundant crop of light-brown fur all over the body, most plentiful on back and breast. In the " manus," the first and second digits only are marked by prolongations of the cartilage. The rest of the hand is bounded by a wavy line. In the " pes" the nails of the first and the fifth toe are rudimentary. The third is the longest. Short hairs descend along the phalanges down to the nails. 2. Adult. The skull shows that it is full-grown, but not old. Teeth not worn. Pelage on back has a brindled appearance, due to the fact that each hair is light brown at the base, then black, and yellow at the tip. The fur (light brown) is very dense and long, reaching nearly to the tips of the long hairs, which are about T inch long. On the breast the yellow tips are elongated, so that that part of the animal has the appearance, when the hair is not smooth, of being barred or spotted with yellow; but this is due merely to the fact that the proportions of the colouring are changed. This yellow extends over the breast, throat, upper lip (but not across the nose), upwards behind the eyes, and between them and the ears. Beneath the eyes is a dark brown spot. Ears black, with very short light-brown fur extending over two thirds of them. The velvety fur over the " manus " of the young has now become light-brown hair. The light yellow does not appear to extend under the belly, but is there replaced by a light brown. Hind flippers covered with dark brown hair, which extends over the rump. Tail nearly black. ft. in. Length along back, as before 3 5g „ of ear 1 $ „ of manus along outer edge 8 „ of pes 10 In this specimen, the nails fail to reach the edge of the cartilage by about \ inch. 3. A specimen rather older than the last, judging from the state of 43* |