SEALS. 399 



urge successful chase of the fish even in their native element, and it has several times happened 

 that captive Seals have been trained to catch fish for the service of their owners. 



The "whisker" hairs are extremely thick and long, and in many species are marked with 

 a raised sinuous margin, which gives them the appearance of being covered with knobs. Their 

 basal extremities are connected with a series of large nerves, similar to those of the lion's lip, 

 which has already been figured on page 120, and it is very probable that this structure may 

 aid them in the capture of their finny prey. The sense of smell is largely developed, and the 

 tongue is rough, and slightly cleft at its extremity ; the reason for this structure is not known. 



The brain of the Seal is very large in proportion to the body, and, as might be expected 

 from this circumstance, the creature is extremely intelligent, and is capable of becoming very 

 docile when placed under the tuition of a careful instructor. The eyes are large, full, and 

 intelligent, and the nostrils are so formed that they can be effectually closed while the crea- 

 ture is submerged beneath the surface of the water, and opened as soon as it rises for the 

 purpose of respiration. At every breath the nostrils open widely, and seem to close again by 

 means of the elasticity of the substance of which they are composed. The ears are also fur- 

 nished with a peculiar structure for the purpose of resisting the entrance of water. 



The true Seals are found only in the sea, and at the mouths of various large rivers, and are 

 wonderfully abundant in the polar regions. None of them are known to inhabit the tropical 

 parts of the earth. Several species occur upon our own shores, more especially on the more 

 northern coasts, and the common Seal, Phoca vitulina, is found in great numbers around the 

 northern shores. 



The teeth of the Seals are very remarkable, and admirably adapted for seizing and retain- 

 ing the slippery prey. The canine teeth are long, sharp, and powerful, and the molar teeth 

 are covered with long and sharp points of various sizes, so that when once caught in the gripe 

 of these formidable weapons, there is but scant hope of escape for the fish. 



The Seals are not very prolific animals ; the number of their young family being seldom 

 more than two, and often restricted to a single offspring. As the young Seals would be unable, 

 during the earlier portion of their- existence, to battle with the sea waves, and to cling firmly 

 to their parent while she afforded them their needful nourishment, the mother Seal retires to 

 the shores when she is called upon to take upon herself the pleasing cares of maternity, and 

 cherishes her young for a season on land, before she ventures to commit them to the waves. 



Owing to the excessive shyness of disposition which characterize the Seals, and the wary 

 caution with which they retire from the sight of mankind, their domestic habits are very little 

 known. Indeed, were it not that many specimens of the common Seal had been captured and 

 tamed, we should have but little information on the manners or the habits of those curious 

 animals. There are many species of Seals, which have been separated into various genera by 

 different authors upon different grounds. Some> for example, found the generic distinction 

 upon the absence or presence of external ears, others from the incisor teeth, and others from 

 the molars and the general character of the skull. 



The OKDEU which includes the Seals is named Pinnipedia, from the wing-like feet, com- 

 mon to all the species ; "Flippers" they are called by the "toilers of the sea." 



Though inhabiting the sea, these creatures are air-breathing mammals. A view of the 

 skeletons of a Seal, a whale, and a land quadruped gives one at once the true relationship. 

 It is the exterior that is modified to suit the natural surroundings of the animals. Seals are 

 not numerous as species ; not over thirty have been recorded. Two species are found in the 

 West India Islands ; the remainder are confined to the colder portion of the globe. 



Seals are adapted to a certain extent for locomotion on land. The muscles of the trunk 

 are enormously developed, to aid the weaker anatomy of the extremities. Ample opportunity 

 is offered to witness the progression of these creatures in public collections. They bear con- 

 finement much better than most animals, requiring little water ; thriving well with the meagre 

 supply afforded them in the tanks of the showmen, and fresh water seems all sufficient. 



Their movement on land is laborious, and reminds one of the inch-worm, as it hitches 

 along, placing its fore-feet forward, and then quickly drawing the hinder extremities under 

 its body for another spring. 



