From James Lamont   23 August 1871

Dear Sir,

I have lately returned from an Arctic Cruise during which I had with me your late work on the Descent of Man.¹

I need not say how much pleasure I derived from its perusal, as you will perhaps remember that 10 years ago I was one of your earliest disciples and believers.²

I was much struck with your remarks about Cystophora Cristata—the bladder nosed seal— I shot 600 of these in the month of June, and was very much struck with the extraordinary peculiarity in question—but I regret that I can throw no light on the vexata quæstio of what its use may be— I think it must be a mere sexual distinction, and it undoubtedly exists in a rudimentary state in the females.³

I have seen the old bulls when angry or excited blow it up as big as a foot-ball, and it quivers in the act of inflation like a child’s ball of thin india-rubber.

I had much discussion with other people, to whom the animal is familiar, as to the use of the appendage—but the only rational opinion I heard from any one was that it was of the same use as a turkey-cock’s wattles were to him!

I have brought home several of the heads of these seals in pickle, and if you should care to have one it would give me great pleasure to forward it to you in a keg.

I am | Yours very truly | J. Lamont.