506 THE CRESTED SEAL. 
to be worthless, as in that case the females and the young would equally need its 
assistance with the adult males. 
Whatever may be the true purport of this crest, it is frequently of great service to 
the animal in moments of danger. It is well known that the Seals are peculiarly 
sensitive about the region of the nostrils, and that a comparatively slight blow upon the 
nose will suffice to stun a Seal that would be but little affected by the heaviest blows 
upon any other portion of its body. The Crested Seal, however, finds his air-filled helmet 
of truly invaluable service to him in deadening the force of any stroke that may be aimed 
at his nose ; for, as has already been mentioned, the nostrils are not placed at the extremity 
of the muzzle, but upon each side of it, and are consequently protected by the over- 
hanging head. 
It has often happened that when the Seal-hunters have been engaged in the pursuit of 
their prey, they have laid several of these animals to all appearance senseless on the 
eround, awaiting the stroke of the knife that shall complete the victory. The animals, 
however, are but slightly stunned, and recovering from their temporary swoon, return to 
the conflict with such unexpected energy that their assailants are forced to have recourse 
to summary measures when engaged in the chase of these creatures. 
1D SEAL.—Stemmdtopus eristitus 
The onset of an enraged Crested Seal is much to be dreaded, for the creature is 
marvellously fierce when its anger is roused, and its strength is very considerable. The 
teeth, too, are formidably powerful, and can inflict very dangerous wounds. In fighting, 
they can use their claws as well as their teeth. The males are always pugnacious animals, 
and during the season when they choose their mates are in the habit of fighting des- 
perately among each other for the possession of some attractive female, and in these 
combats inflict severe lacerations. During these conflicts the two combatants express 
their mutual rage by emitting a torrent of loud, passionate, yelling screams, which are 
audible at a considerable distance. 
It is a polygamous animal, one male ruling over a small herd of wives. 
The fur of this animal is of some value, and ereat numbers of these skins are annually 
imported into Europe, where they are used for various purposes. To the Greenlander 
this Seal is of incalculable value, as he makes use of almost every portion of its body as 
well as of itsskin. Of the fur he makes his thick, cold-resisting costume, and with the 
skin he covers those wonderful little boats in which he braves the fury of the ocean in 
search of his aquatic quarry. Of the stomach he makes air buoys, which he fastens to 
