ZOOLOGY; — SEALS. 511 



The Phoca Vituliiia is more abundant in the 

 Greenland Sea, than any other species, especially 

 near Jan Mayen. The Hooded Seal is common near 

 Spitzhergen. The usual length of the former is 4 

 or 5 feet ; of the latter 6 to 8 ; and it is said to grow 

 to the length of 10 or 12 feet. The former almost 

 always retreats before its enemies : the latter often 

 returns their attacks ; and, being defended by his 

 hood from the stunning effect of a blow on the nose, 

 sometimes inflicts severe wounds on the person by 

 whom he is attacked. 



In fine weather, seals prefer the ice to the water ; 

 and, when they find themselves dry and comfortable, 

 have an aversion to take the water, and are some- 

 times easily caught. They are extremely watchful. 

 Where a number are collected on the same piece of 

 ice, one, if not more, is always looking round. And 

 even a solitary seal is scarcely ever observed to allow 

 a minute to pass without lifting its head. When 

 seals rest on an extensive sheet of ice, they always 

 secure their retreat, either by lying near the edge, 

 or by keeping a hole in the ice always open before 

 them. These precautions are necessary to preserve 

 themselves from becoming a prey to the bear. The 

 old animals are in general shy ; so that, when thou- 

 sands are seen within the compass of a square fur- 

 long, the whole, on the approach of a boat, will per- 

 haps make their escape. The young ones are less 

 guarded ; and, when met with at a proper season. 



