THE HARP OK GUEENLAND SEAL. 405 



mark at that very early age, they, in consequence, escape 

 observation. 



Crantz, the missionary, tells us that this Seal, when 

 full grown, is almost wholly of a light grey colour, with 

 a black marking on the back like two half-moons. He 

 states, further, that its appearance varies greatly, ac- 

 cording to age. Soon after birth it is quite white and 

 woolly ; in the first year cream-coloured ; in the second, 

 grey; in the third, marked with stripes; in the fourth, 

 spotted; and in the fifth it wears its half-moons as the 

 sign of its maturity ; as also that it attains a length of 

 nearly nine feet. The oil extracted from this Seal is said to 

 be in greater quantities than from any other pertaining 

 to the northern regions. 



" In Greenland," says Fabricius, " this species of Seal 

 occurs in great numbers in the deep bays and mouths of 

 rivers. Twice a year the herds leave the coast ; first in 

 March, returning in May; and again in June, I'eappearing 

 in September. They bring forth their young in spring, 

 having one, or rarely two, at a birth, which they suckle 

 on fragments of ice far from the shore. They never 

 ascend the fixed ice, but live and sleep near the floating 

 islands in vast herds. Among these they are sometimes 

 seen swimming in great numbers, having one for their 

 leader,* who seems to act as sentinel for the security of 

 the whole. They devour all the more common kind of 

 fisli, having a preference for the Arctic salmon, and not 

 refusing shell-fish. When engaged in feeding, and when 

 one comes to tlie surface to breathe, he raises his head 



* " During their migrations," says S. Oclinan, when speaking of 

 Iceland and of the Wade Seal, " the herd swims in the form of a triangle, the 

 ajjex of which is led by au individual who therefore bears the name of 

 'Seal King;' aud the hunter marks well the coui-se that this their leader 

 takes when the troop is separated, because the rest of the Seals always 

 collect about him." 



