COMMON SEAL. 23 



of oil ; and a strong and elastic leather is made from their 

 skins. 



Such is the size of these animals, that they frequently 

 weigh from 1500 to 2000 pounds each. Their head 

 is small, neck short, and body thick and rounded. The 

 upper lip is cleft. The eyes are very small ; and the 

 ears are merely holes in the head. The skin is scattered 

 over with short, brownish hair, and the tail is very 

 short. 



ORDER III. PERM. 



12. SEAL TRIBE. 



Like the animals which constitute the preceding tribe, 

 the Seals are amphibious. Their body also is thickest 

 at the shoulders, and gradually tapers from thence to 

 the tail. They subsist entirely on fish and other marine 

 animals. 



Common Seal, or Sea-Calf. On almost all the north- 

 ern coasts of Great Britain, especially on such as are 

 the most rocky and inaccessible to man, these animals 

 are to be seen in great numbers. They are known to 

 migrate, in herds, across the sea, from one country to 

 another. When on shore they are extremely watchful, 

 and, if threatened with danger, scramble immediately 

 into the water. They swim with great agility, but are 

 not able to continue, for a long time together, under 

 the surface. Their principal food is fish. If caught 

 when young, they may be rendered perfectly tame; 

 and, as it is said, will sometimes follow their master 

 like a dog. They produce two or more young ones 



