512 THE HARP SEAL, OR ATAK., 
demonstrations of affection towards the keeper who attends to their wants are quite 
lively. They recognise him at a considerable distance, and shooting rapidly through the 
water, fling themselves upon the bank, scuttle to the iron fence and rear themselves 
against the rails in impatient greetings, long before he reaches the limits of their home. 
Perhaps these ebullitions of regard are not totally personal to the keeper, but are partly 
caused by certain pieces of fish which he carries with him. As soon as they receive 
the expected gift, they seize it between their teeth, and unless they happen to be hungry, 
become very playful, and execute all manner of aquatic gambols before they eat it, much 
after the manner of a cat with a mouse. 
The specific name of Vitulina, or calf-like, has been given to the Common Seal, not 
because it presents a calf-like aspect, but because its voice is thought to bear some resem- 
blance to the plaintive cry of a calf when separated from its mother. 
The Harp SEAL derives its name from the very conspicuous manner in which its fur 
is coloured. 
The general hue of the Harp Seal’s coat is a whitish-grey, and upon that delicate tint 
are drawn two broad, semicircular bands of a deep black, their points nearly touching each 
other, and extending from the shoulders nearly to the root of the tail. These dark mark- 
ings are thought to bear some resemblance to an ancient harp, and have given rise to the 
popular name by which this species is designated. The muzzle and fore part of the head 
is also black. This peculiar colouring, which seems to distinguish this animal from any 
other species of Seal, is however never seen except in the adult animal, and is not con- 
sidered to be perfect until the creature has attained its fifth year. Very many animals 
are variously marked according to their ages, sex, and time of year, but there are few 
which undergo more decided changes than the Harp Seal; changes so unexpected that 
they have caused the animal to be described under several different titles according to 
the particular coat which it happened at that time to wear. 
In the first few months of its existence, the fur of the Harp Seal is white in colour and 
woolly in texture. At the expiration of a year the white changes to a greyish-cream. In 
the second year, the fur is entirely grey. In the third year, the grey is diversified with 
stripes of darker hues, and varying in number, dimensions, and position. The fourth year 
changes the stripes into spots, and in the fifth year, the semi-lunar black stripes make 
their appearance. 
The Greenlanders designate the Harp Seal by different titles according to its years ; 
giving it the name of Atak, or Attarak, in its first year, Atteisiak in the second, Agletok 
in the third, Milektok, in the fourth, and Attarsoak, in the fifth. 
The Harp Seal is found in great numbers upon the coasts of Greenland, Iceland, and 
other localities, and is rather peculiar in its mode of life. It does not much affect the 
shore after the fashion of many Seals, but prefers to take up its residence upon floating 
ice-islands, disregarding even the more solid fields of ice that are so much frequented by 
other animals belonging to the same family. It is found in considerable numbers, con- 
eregating together in herds under the leadership of a single chief, and constantly subject 
to his authority. 
There is always a sentinel planted by every herd, whose duty lies in looking out for 
danger, and giving timely warning to the remainder of the herd. The Harp Seal seems 
withal to be rather a reckless being, in spite of this precaution, for it is easily approached 
by a cautious hunter, and can be destroyed with little difficulty. Sometimes it prefers to 
take its repose without trusting itself upon ice or land, and sleeps while floating on the 
surface of the sea. In this situation its slumbers are so profound that it has often been 
surprised and slain before it has awoke from its treacherous somnolence. The Harp Seal 
is moderate in size, being generally about seven or eight feet in length and proportionably 
stout. Some very large specimens, however, are said to reach the length of nine feet. 
It is an extremely valuable animal both to Europe in general, and to the uncivilized 
inhabitants of Greenland. In this country we value the Harp Seal principally on account 
of the excellent oil which it furnishes, and which is allowed to be of a purer and better 
character than that which is obtained from other oil-producing animals. The creature is 
