398 INHABITS FRESH-WATER LAKES. 



Like tlie Common Seal, it is readily domesticated. Of 

 one that was for some time in the Jardin de Plautes, at 

 Paris, M. F. Cuvier makes the following ohservations : — 

 " Except some monkeys, I have never known any wild 

 animal which was more easily tamed, or attached itself 

 more strongly. When it first came, it endeavoured to 

 escape when I wished to touch it ; but in a very few days all 

 its apprehensions vanished. It had discovered my inten- 

 tions, and rather desired my caresses than feared tbem. It 

 was in the same enclosure with two small dogs, which 

 amused themselves by frequently mounting on its back, with 

 barking and even biting it ; and although their spoi'ts and 

 the vivacity of the attending movements were little in har- 

 mony with its own actions and habits, yet it appreciated 

 their motives, and seemed pleased with them. It never 

 offered any other retaliation than slight blows with its 

 paws, the object of which was to encourage rather than 

 repress the liberties taken. If the pu^ipies escaped from 

 the enclosure, the Seal endeavoured to follow them, not- 

 withstanding the difficulty it experienced in creeping 

 along the ground, which was covered with stones and 

 rubbish. When the w^eather was cold, tlie three animals 

 huddled closely and kindly together, that they might 

 contribute to their mutual warmth." 



The Marbled Seal, Nilsson tells us, inhabits the 

 Ladoga in Russia, and the Sainien in Finland, to 

 which great lakes it finds its way from the Gulf of 

 Finland; and it is a variety of this Seal, the Professor 

 believes, that is found in the Lake Baikal, in Siberia, a 

 specimen from whence is now in the Lund Museum. " It 

 is remarkable, ho^vever," be proceeds to say, that " in the 

 last-named lake it is of a grey-brown colour; in the Ladoga, 

 black ; and in the Saimen. blackish with white rings. 



From what has been stated in regard to the size and 

 habits of the Marbled Seal, mav we not infer that it is 



