SEALS. 503 
The structure of their bodies shows that the Seals are intended to pass the greater 
portion of their existence in the water, for the body is elongated, and formed very much 
like that of a fish, while the limbs and feet are so unbiped that they greatly resemble 
fins, and are put to the same use. 
In order to protect their bodies from the debilitating action of the element in which they 
live, they are thickly covered with a double fur, which, when immersed in water, is pressed 
tightly to the skin, and effectually throws off the moisture. In some Seals this fur is 
extremely valuable, and is largely employed as an article of commerce. The fur itself is 
kept constantly lubricated with a fatty matter secreted by the skin, and is thus rendered 
waterproof. The more effectually to defend the animal from the icy cold water in which 
it is often immersed, and from the ice-fields on which it loves to climb, a thick layer of 
fat is placed immediately below the skin, and being an excellent non-conductor of heat, 
serves to retain the internal heat through the severest cold. All the fat of the body 
seems to be pressed into this service, as there is comparatively little of the internal fat 
that is usually found plentifully in the mammala. 
Aided by the imperfectly developed limbs, the Seals are able to leave the water and 
to ascend the shore, where they are capable of proceeding with no small rapidity, though 
in a sufficiently awkward manner, their gait partaking equally of the character of a shutile 
and a crawl When moving in a direct line, without being hurried, they bend their 
spine in such a manner as ‘to give them the appearance of “huge macewpitiars crawling 
leisurely along the ground; the spine is extremely flexible, so that the animal can urge 
itself through the water in a manner very similar to that which is employed by the fish. 
Their clumsy, scuttling movements when on land form a curious contrast with the 
easy grace of their progress through the water. When the Seals swim, they drive them- 
selves forward by means of their hinder feet, which are turned inward, and pressed against 
each other so as to form a powerful leverage against the water, as well as a rudder, by 
means of which they can direct their progress. They are also assisted in some measure 
by the fore-lmbs, but these latter members are more employed upon land than in 
water, except perhaps for the purpose of grasping their young. On reference to the 
skeleton of the Seal on page 511, the peculiar formation of the Seal’s limbs will be better 
understood than by the expenditure of a page of actual description alone. 
When they desire to leave the water, they rush violently towards the shore, and by the 
force of their impulse shoot themselves out of the water, and scramble up the bank as 
fast as they can. On taking again to the water, they shuffle to the edge of the bank, 
and tumble themselves into the sea or river in a very unceremonious manner, gliding 
away as if rejoicing that they were once more in their proper element. 
The food of the Seals consists chiefly of fish, but they also feed largely upon various 
crustacea, and upon molluscs. Their powers of swimming are so great that they are able 
to urge successful chase of the fish even in their native element, and it has several times 
happened that captive Seals have been trained to catch fish for the service of their owners. 
The “whisker” hairs are extremely thick and long, and in many species are marked 
with a raised sinuous margin, which gives them the appearance of being covered with 
knobs. Their basal extremities are connected with a series of large nerves, similar to 
those of the lion’s lip, which has already been figured on page 137, and it is very probable 
that this structure may aid them in the capture of their finny prey. The sense of smell 
is largely developed, and the tongue is rough, and slightly cleft at its extremity; the 
reason for this structure is not known. 
The brain of the Seal is very large in proportion to the body, and, as might be 
expected from this circumstance, the creature is extremely intelligent, and is capable of 
becoming very docile when placed under the tuition of a careful instructor. The eyes are 
large, full, and intelligent, and the nostrils are so formed that they can be effectually 
closed while the creature is submerged beneath the surface of the water, and opened as 
soon as it rises for the purpose of respiration. At every breath the nostrils open widely, 
and seem to close again by means of the elasticity of the substance of which they are 
composed. The ears are also furnished with a peculiar structure for the purpose of 
resisting the entrance of water. 
