SAND DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



the educational road, as shown by their ability 

 to sport and play. 



As a seal thrusts its high-browed head above 

 the surface, and regards curiously the occu- 

 pants of a boat, it has a strangely human look, 

 and this similitude is increased to an uncanny 

 extent if a seal happens to be one's compan- 

 ion while swimming. There is a very intelli- 

 gent and questioning look in the direct gaze 

 of their lustrous eyes, and it is not to be won- 

 dered at that seals were mistaken by the early 

 mariners for mermaids. 



Henry Hudson, in the journal of his voyage 

 of discovery in search of the northwest pas- 

 sage in 1608, relates: '' This morning, one of 

 our companie looking over boord saw a mer- 

 maid, and calling up some of the companie 

 to see her, one more came up, and by that tune 

 shee was come close to the ship's side, looking 

 earnestly on the men: a little after, a sea 

 came and overturned her: from the navill 

 upward, her backe and breasts were like a 

 woman's, as they say that saw her; her body 

 as big as one of us; her skin very white; and 

 long haire hanging downe behinde, of colour 

 blacke: in her going downe they saw her 

 tayle, which was like the tayle of a porposse, 



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