THE LEOPABD SEAL. 167 
mournful bleating. A very interesting specimen of the Leopard Seal is on exhibi- 
tion at Woodward's Gardens. This little favorite has been a resident of that pop- 
ular and interesting resort for over three years, and, although a female, as we were 
informed, is honored with the title of "Commodore." The animal generally makes 
its appearance close at hand whenever within hearing, if called by name, and when 
its keeper appears on the lawn, to feed the pelicans, black swans, and other aquatic 
birds, which arc its companions in the artificial pond, the Commodore does not 
wait to be invited, but, knowing as well as its keeper the meal -hour, is on the 
watch., and the moment the food-bearer is seen, the little creature — which is not 
over four feet long — lifts itself out of the water over the curb -stones and waddles 
quickly to its master's side, then holding up its head with niouth wide open, 
receives the choice morsels of fish which drop from his hand. 
Leopard Seals are very easily captured when on shore, as a single blow with 
a club upon the head will dispatch them. The Indians about Puget Sound take 
them in nets made of large hemp -line, using them in the same manner as seines, 
drawing them around beaches when the rookery is on shore. They are taken by 
the whites for their oil and skins, but the Indians and Esquimaux make great 
account of them for food. The last -mentioned eat them, as they do nearly every 
article of sustenance, with or without cooking, but the natives of Puget Sound 
singe them before a fire until the hair is consumed and the skin becomes crisp, after 
which it is cut up and cooked as may best suit their relish. 
