To what group of the Cervide Hydropotes is most allied there is
still considerable uncertainty. That it is not allied to the New- Page 792.
World type is evident from its vomer not extending downwards to join
the osseous palate posteriorly. That it is not Cervuline is equally


Brain of Hydropotes inermis (still born).
certain on account of its tarsal cuneiform bones being free from the
naviculo-cuboids. Its Jarge hepatic Spigelian lobe favours the view
suggested by Sir Victor Brooke,* that it is most closely allied to the
Rasine Deer.
ey * “ Proceedings of the Zoological Society,” 1872, p. 525.
Page 792.
Page 793.
426 POSSIBLE CAUSE OF DEATH IN A YOUNG SEAL.
69. NOTE ON THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF DEATH IN A
YOUNG SEAL.*


On October 1, 1877, Mr. G. Mellin presented to the Society a
female Common Seal (Phoca vitulina), which died on the 9th of the
same month. He obtained it from the Scilly Islands on September
27th, when it had attached to it the rudiments of the umbilical cord,
which dropped off on the 30th, three days later. It must therefore
have been born only a few days. When in the Society’s Gardens it
sucked milk freely from a baby-feeding bottle, and exhibited no
pathological symptoms. As it did not take kindly to the water, it
remained almost entirely on land.
