ITS AWKWARD MOVEMENTS. 91 



into the water head first, if possible, but other- 

 wise, in any position in which chance may have 

 placed them, occasioning one of the most laugh- 

 able scenes of the kind it is possible to con- 

 ceive. The gallop of a sea-liwrse is probably 

 the most awkward motion that is exhibited by 

 the animal tribe, from the great difficulty they ex- 

 perience in bringing the hind feet forward, which 

 arises no doubt from the immense weight of the 

 animal, and the great disproportion between the 

 length of their bodies and their legs. In order 

 to facilitate the bringing up of the hinder parts 

 of the body, the head is alternately lowered and 

 raised, and the animal, being exceedingly pliant, 

 and thickly covered with blubber, a serpentine 

 and wavy motion is thus given to the body, 

 which very much reminds an observer of the 

 hurried movement of a large caterpillar, a lu- 

 dicrous association, that tends greatly to heighten 

 the burlesque effect. 



On the evening in question, several herds of 

 these animals had crawled upon the ice to enjoy 

 the fine evening, and rest themselves after their 

 exertions in the late boisterous weather. The 

 boats, properly equipped, and manned with some 

 of the officers and seamen, pushed off in pursuit 

 of them. The first herd which was selected 

 disappointed the sportsmen, but another was so 



