420 



THE stand-NaT. 



little effect, that the seal not only made itself master of 

 them, l)ut compelled him to flee for shelter to tlie fore 

 part of the craft ; and even this would have proved an 

 insufficient shelter had not assistance heen at hand. 



Seals, even if unwonnded, would appear at times to ho 

 dangerous. " There are iiiany rocks in tlie SkJlrgard," 

 writes Carl Knutherg, under date of 1755, " on whi<'li 

 these animals may he seen daily, occasionally as 

 many as fifteen together, where they fight desperately 

 amongst themselves. It is not advisahle presumptuously 

 to attack such a troop, amongst which may he some 

 of the size of a large horse. It is said that some years 

 ago two men rowed to a Skdl-Berg, or seal rock, situated 

 near to Hernosand (Gulf of Bothnia), for the purpose of 

 shooting seals, hut they were so set upon, whilst in the 

 boat, by these animals that even with tlie aid of a spear 

 and an axe they had difficulty in escaping with life." 



- .^^^^'-.^lifft^Si^&i^^i^^ifl^^^^^^^^..^^ 



THE STAND-NAT. 



Seals, more especially the Common and the Marbled 

 Seal, are also frequently taken in nets. That in most 



