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Show 426 MR. R. BROWN ON THE SEALS OF GREENLAND. [June 25, dive when the hunter attempted to approach them. Occasionally they come to the borders of the ice, as in 1859 a few were secured in N. lat. 79° on a heavy stream of ice, and in about lat. 75° and 76° I have seen considerable numbers in the bottom of deep ' bights' of the ice lying on the * sailing ice;' and, indeed, in open years, when ships can penetrate through towards Shannon Isle and the ' west land' (the east coast of Greenland), these localities are found to be peculiarly frequented by the ' Bladdernose ' and ' Ground-Seals.'] I should scarcely have hesitated to identify this Seal with Pagophilus groenlandicus, had not Dr. Wallace so expressly stated that it is not that species; and the whalers, who are very familiar with the " Saddleback," have not only distinguished it from that species, but applied a very familiar distinctive name to it. It is just possible that it is the Phoca leporina of Lepechin, which is usually classed as a synonym of Phoca barbata, O. Fab. (though it ought to be remarked that in such a case Lepechin's name ought to take priority of Otho Fabricius's, the one having been applied in the year 1778, while the other was not published until 1780), or that Phoca leporina is a good species-a conjecture which without skulls it is impossible to be certain of. Wallace does not mention the saddle-shaped mark on the back of the male (nor do m y notes mention it as being found) of the Ground-Seal; so that the principal stumblingblock is removed to its being classed with Phoca barbata. Lepechin, no doubt (Acta Acad. Scient. Imp. Petropol. 1778, vol. iv. p. 264, tabb. viii., ix.), says that there are no spots on his Seal; but Wallace remarks that these may go off as the animal increases in age. At all events it is a subject of regret that a skull, which would have at once settled the point, was not brought. Leaving England very shortly after receiving these notes, and arriving home myself, I was unable to obtain a specimen. Again this spring, on taking up the subject of the Greenland Seals anew, I was so puzzled with this "Ground-Seal" that I had determined to make a short trip to the Spitzbergen sea again with a view to obtaining specimens, but, owing to an unforeseen accident, could not accomplish m y purpose. I have, however, been promised that next year specimens shall be brought me. M y experience, however, of these promises does not lead me to build any great expectations thereon; however, until that time at least, the specific determination of the " Ground-Seal" must, I fear, remain in abeyance. (5) HALICHOJ'RTJS GRYPUS, O. Fab. Phoca grypus (den Krumsnudede seel), O. Fab. Halichcerus griseus, Nilss. Halichcerus grypus, Nilss. Phoca gryphus, Licht. Phoca halichcerus, Thienem. Phoca thienemanni, Less, (young). Fhoca scopulicola, Thienem. (young, fide Gray). Popular names.-Grey Seal (English naturalists); Graskul (or Grey Seal of the Scandinavian naturalists); Statskal (CEdm. /. ci) |