we could not overtake the other. These herbivorous Cete differ, in many important particulars, from the true Whales. They are not like them blowers, with a spiracle upon the summit of the head, but have regular nostrils like quadrupeds; nor do they frequent the deep ocean, but habitually resort to the sea-shores, and the estuaries of rivers. In both these particulars the herbivorous Cete associate more closely with the Amphibia; but from them, again, they differ in their structure, in that their extremities, more especially the posterior, almost wholly disappear; whilst they are still present, though much modified, in the Seals; and also, because they never leave the water, whilst, as we have already noted, the Amphibia often do. To these two groups we propose to add a third. The term Cete, we remark, though now confined in the manner above referred to, was, by the ancients, used in a wider sense, being made to include, along with the Whales, those animals which they regarded as Sea-Monsters. We have but very obscure intimation of what these Monsters really were; they were not true or common fish, but were reputed to be prodigious animals, whose form and nature were imperfectly understood; and which were peculiarly the objects of vulgar wonder and superstitious dread. Now, it so happens that, even at the present day, it is asserted that such Monsters exist, whose characters all the assiduity of Naturalists has not hitherto satisfactorily ascertained, and the consideration of these will form the concluding portion of this volume. The

most remarkable of these creatures are the SEA-SERPENT and the KRAKEN; and, as some allusion to these animals would naturally be expected in the Naturalist's Library, so no occasion could be found so eligible as the present. The Amphibia, then, and the herbivorous Cete, the Sea-Serpent and Kraken, will form, at least, a natural combination.

These creatures must prove a peculiarly interesting subject to every inquiring mind. Most of our readers are probably aware, that some of these animals constitute the ground-work of the many strange stories which, from age to age, have been current concerning Sirens, Mermen, Mermaids, &c. Very decidedly, we say, that these were not, and are not, altogether baseless figments, though much error prevailed, and sober truth was obscured. Every intelligent individual will be forward to inquire which of these animals is the type of these far-famed and ill-defined beings; and, we may here state, in a word, that we shall take an opportunity of answering this question, and of showing that several distinct kinds of animals have given rise to these interesting narratives

The truth is, that much remains to be done in elucidation of all the of which we propose to groups treat; and, certainly, not least of the Seals. Most individuals must have heard of the fleets that are fitted out to hunt these creatures within the Ant arctic, as well as the Arctic Zone. One species extends to the length of twenty-five and thirty feet, with a more than ordinary proportionate bulk, so

that it reaches to half the dimensions of the Great Greenland Whale. In comparison of this extraordinary size, all merely terrestrial animals sink into insignificance, and hence we cannot wonder that this animal has received the name of the Elephant Seal. There are others which attain very huge dimensions; and most well educated persons must have heard something of those objects of astonishment, described by mariners under the various names of Sea-Lions and Sea-Leopards, Sea-Bears and Wolves, Sea-Horses, Cows, and Calves, Sea-Dogs, Swine, Hares, and Apes, which, we shall show, are nothing more than some of the names applied to the animals we are about to describe, and which are really not less interesting than their terrestrial namesakes.

"In the waters we may see all creatures,
Even all that on the earth are to be found,
As if the world were in deep waters drown'd."

It must not, however, be supposed, that it is from approximating to the marvellous that our subject derives its only, or even its chief claim to attention. A moment's consideration evinces that the external circumstances of most of these animals, and, consequently, their habits, must be altogether peculiar. The Amphibious Carnivora are formed on the same general model as other quadrupeds, and yet the land is to them a strange and unwonted element. Their usual abode is in the sea; and hence there must be interesting modifications whereby their structure is

adapted to the water. This will lead to a short elucidation of their Comparative Anatomy, eminently exhibiting the workings of creative power. We have also hinted that they are objects of commercial and national importance. For them navies float, and the bold seaman penetrates the polar seas, and circumnavigates the globe. To him, therefore, it is an object of deep importance, accurately to know, and speedily, and certainly, to meet and to capture his prey. This leads to inquiries regarding the resorts of these animals, their habits, their energies, and powers, all of which are curious and interesting. Hence, then, we shall be led to dwell somewhat both on their dispositions and intellectual endowments, whilst we must not overlook the valuable products which lead to their capture, and the whole varied details of the animating adventure.

And now we will, in a word, indicate to those who may not have much acquaintance with the subject, that it is one peculiarly beset with difficulties, arising chiefly from the retired retreats and habits of the group. We shall do this, however, in other words than our own. "Les phoques," says M. F. Cuvier, in 1826, "sont généralement, des animaux très peu connues." And Desmarest, "The various species of Phoca are as yet but little known; the descriptions of travellers, and of most Naturalists, are not sufficiently minute to enable us to distinguish them; and it is probable that their number is much more considerable than is at present supposed."-(Mam. p. 238.) And, once more,

the respected author of The History of British Quadrupeds, in 1836-7, remarks" There is not, I believe, a single group among the whole of the Mammiferous class, which is at present so indistinctly known, and of which the species are so much confounded, as the Seals."

How far we have succeeded in elucidating the subject must be left to the judgment of others. To a few facts, however, concerning our plates, we shall take the liberty of adverting. Our volume is, we believe, the vehicle of delineating, for the first time, four of the most important species of the group. These are the animal which we regard as the Bearded Seal, (No. 5;)—the one which, on high authority, we have been led to understand is the female Sea-Elephant, (No. 17;)—that one which we have called the Sea-Lion of Pernetty, (No. 19 ;) and the Fur-Seal of Commerce, (No. 25 ;) to which we may add, that the Sea-Leopard (No. 12) has not, so far as we know, appeared in any work on Natural History.

The drawings of these five are in fact original, four being taken from specimens in the Royal Museum of the Edinburgh University, and for information regarding which, we are proud to acknowledge our obligations to the distinguished Professor of Natural History; whilst the remaining one has been derived from the splendid specimen which graces the Liverpool Museum, and for further details concerning which we must refer to the body of the work. Besides these, there are ten other species, taken from French, Russian, and American autho