The Living World Volume 1; Containing Descriptions of the Several Races of Men, and All Species of Animals, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Etc., Etc. with Numerous Anecdotes, Illustrative of Their Instincts, Reasoning Powers and Domestic Habits (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ...bravely attacking its assailants, inflicting severe wounds, whilst the pulpy crest which extends over the tender point on the nose affords an ample protection from their otherwise stunning blows; but when it is surprised by the hunter, it moans and cries like a child, shedding abundant tears. We learn from Crantz that these seals frequent the great ice islands, where they sleep in an unguarded manner. They are found in great numbers in Davis's Straits, where they make regularly two voyages a year, and remain from the month of September to the month of March. They then depart to bring forth their young, and return with them in the month of June, when they are very lean and exhausted. They set off again in July, and proceed to the north, where they find plenty of food, as they return fat and robust in September., S. Mitratus.--The Mitred, or Hooded Seal. The authors offer no information whatever in regard to the size, habits, disposition, and habitat of this species. Of the peculiar appendage to the head, from which the specific name is derived, Cuvier remarks, "Upon the cranium and neck of this animal there is a very singular structure, which may explain what-has been said concerning a kind of hood which it erects and swells up with pleasure. This structure is composed of numerous vessels, forming a tolerably thick network, which may contain a great quantity of blood, and which causes the region of the neck and shoulders to appear more swollen than in most seals.' In regard to this hood, Crantz says, " It has a thick folded skin upon its forehead, which it can draw down over its eyes, to defend them against the storms, waves, stones, and sand." Genus Macrohinus. M. de Blainville has stated the generic characters of this remarkable group as foll...