Appendix C. 



YOUNG SEALS ARE BORN ON LAND QR ICE ; DO NOT 

 SWIM AT FIRST, AND CAN NOT NURSE IN THE 

 WATER. 



No species of seal in any part of the world j^^^^^J^^^^f-^J^^^™ ^° 

 gives birth to its young in the water, either 

 among the sea-bears and sea-lions (Otariidce) or 

 among the trne seals (Phocidcd.) In the great 

 majority of species the young are brought forth 

 on rocks along the shore, but in a few kinds of 

 hair-seals, notably the harps and hoods, they 

 are born on the ice floes of the far north. 



Not only are all kinds of seals born on land (or . Nursiug impos- 



"^ ^ 81 bio ui wiiter. 



ice), but they remain there while nursing, for 

 seals can not suckle their young in the sea; the 

 young are unable to hold their breath long, and 

 would drown if they attempted to nurse in the 

 water. 



However strange it may seem to those i^iiif'i'-(uI;KUho^water^^ 

 miliar with the facts, all young seals are afraid of 

 the water at first and enter it with great reluctance. 

 At the island of St. Paul, in August, we have seen 

 mother seals take their young by the skin of the 



387 



