THE SEAL. 509 
scratching furiously with its fore-paws. And if its antagonist should endeavour to cut 
off its retreat, it will boldly fling itself upon him, and endeavour by the violence of its 
onset to bear him to the ground. 
Should the beach be composed of pebbles or shingles, it is the hunter’s best policy to 
face the animal, and trust to his cudgel for stunning the Seal as it comes along. For 
when the Seal is galloping along the beach after its own rapid but awkward fashion, it 
flings the stones behind it with such violence that the pursuer can hardly escape from 
receiving severe blows from these strangely-launched missiles. Some writers suppose that 
the Seal uses this mode of defence wittingly, but the general opinion on the subject is, 
that the pecuhar gait of the animal is the cause of this Parthian assault, without any 
voluntary intention on the part of the Seal itself. 
On the British coasts the chase of the Seal is but of local importance, but on the 
shore of Newfoundland it assumes a different aspect, and becomes an important branch of 
commercial enterprise, employing many vessels annually. In a successful season the 
number of Seals which are taken amount to many hundred thousand. A large quantity 
of oil is obtained from the bodies of the Seals, and is used for various purposes, while 
their skins are of considerable value either when tanned into leather or when prepared 
with the fur, and used for making various articles of dress and luxury. 
SEAL.—Phoca itulina 
On the British coasts Seal-shooting is much followed, and is thought to be a very 
exciting pursuit, requiring much steadiness of nerve us well as strength of body and 
quickness of eye. 
So quick is the animal in its movements, that with the old flint-lock guns the sports- 
man could seldom succeed in killing a Seal; for at the flash of the powder in the pan the 
Seal would instantly dive below the surface, leaving the bullet to speed harmlessly over 
its head. With the present weapons the Seal may be readily killed, provided that the 
hunter be able to take a rapid and certain aim in spite of the rocking of his boat or the 
movements of the Seal. It is no easy matter to hit a Seal, even at the short range of a 
hundred yards, for the creature exposes but little of its person above the surface of the 
water, and if alarmed, does not remain exposed for more that a few seconds. 
It_is very tenacious of life, and requires a heavy missile to kill it upon the spot, the 
ordinary “pea rifles” being of little use for such a purpose. Should the Seal not be 
killed immediately, the sportsman will never obtain possession of his prey, and even 
when a well directed shot has instantaneously deprived the animal of life, it will often 
