COMMON SEAL.—P/wca vititlhia. 



TiiK Common Skal is spread verv widely over many jioi-tioiis of the globe, 

 ,'iiid is ot" very ficf|uent occunenec upon our own eoasts, where it is found 

 in considerable numbers, much to the annoyance of the fishcmien, who look 

 upon it witli intense lialrcd, on accoimt of the havoc which it nudus among the 

 fish. 



The Seal is also a good natural barometer, and by its movements indicates to 

 a practised eye tlie forthcoming changes in the weather. AVhenever an old Seal 

 is seen rolling and tundiling along a bank, a storm of wind and rain is siu'e to 

 ensue before many honi"s have passed. 



The Common Seal is very easily tamed, and s))eedily becomes one of the 

 mr)st. docile of aniuuds, attaching itself with strong att'ection to its human friends, 

 and developing a beautifully gentle and loving nature, hardly to be expected in 

 such an animal. Many of these creatures have been taken when yoimg, and 

 have been strongly domesticated with their captors, considering themselves to 

 belong of riglit to the houseliold, and taking their share of the fireside with the 

 other members of the famib' 



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