288 Observations on the Seal Fishery of the Cape, 



an open sea in boisterous commotion, and soon after gained 

 the island. 



Vast shoals of seals, of extraordinary magnitude, surround- 

 ed the boats, and, with uplifted heads, eyed us with intense 

 interest. As they plunged away, a terrific, snort was uttered. 

 We landed with considerable difficulty, from the dangerous 

 nature of the rocks, and the almost overwhelming fury of the 

 sea-waves. The object at length accomplished, each one se- 

 lected for himself a club, about 8 feet in length. As we 

 gained an eminence in order to take observations, a novel 

 scene presented itself. Every height and every hollow dis- 

 covered waking and sleeping myriads of seals. The marine 

 birds over-head darkened the sun, and by their clamourous 

 din, out-matched the ocean's roar. Being the season of in- 

 cubation, at the same time we were compelled to guard our 

 heads from their repeated attacks. But those of the penguin 

 tribe were most amusing. These social and gregarious birds 

 were drawn up rank and file, and formed a complete cordon 

 round the island. Numbers of the young ones were placed in 

 front, and evinced striking symptoms of terror. These birds 

 have a monstrous aversion to take the water in the first in- 

 stance, and being placed on the verge of the precipices over- 

 hanging the sea, were trembling at the sight. It forms a 

 part of penguin education, to adopt the coercive system, and 

 often did we behold the young ones falling headlong into the 

 sea, from the push of the parent bird. It is only the first 

 debut that seems difficult to conquer. That point once ob- 

 tained, they become as attached to the water as those of ex- 

 perienced habits.* Then, in various detachments, forming 

 correct squares of close columns, stood that reverential looking 

 body of birds, the duykers. 



In making preparations for action, we were viewed by the 

 seals without any appearance of terror. The eye of the seal 

 is large, round, and parallel with the head, like that of the do- 

 mestic cat, and appears, from the species we saw on this island, 

 to be weak. Cuiver, however, considers the organ of vision 

 connected with the phoca to be its best sense, and conjectures 

 an opinion, judging solely by the external organ, that the 



* When seen through a hazy atmosphere, the penguins may not be un- 

 aptly mistaken fof a body of men ; and it was this apprehension that drove 

 on* a body of sailors who, some years since, were endeavouring to land on 

 Dyer's Island, from the wreck of a vessel. In pride, these birds are perhaps 

 not surpassed even by the peacock. During the time of moulting, they 

 seem to repel each other with disgust, on account of the ragged state of 

 their coats; but as they arrive at a maximum of splendour, they re-assem- 

 ble, and no one who has not completed his plumage, is allowed to enter the 

 community. Wuring the time of hatching the male is remarkably assidu- 

 ous, so that when the hen has occasion to go off to feed and wash, the egg 

 is transported to him. 



