114 MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 
It is difficult to produce a satisfactory figure of a seal, for the reason that in 
its various attitudes the animal materially changes its contour. In one position its 
neck becomes somewhat slender and elongated, and its head appears comparatively 
small ; while in another posture the creature seems distorted into a swollen form 
throughout. Hence we shall introduce a few illustrative figures in addition to the 
plates which represent the general forms of these animals. 
