ON QUADRUPEDS. 51 



the foolish people attributed it to the poor in- 

 nocent seal. They made such a stir about it 

 that the proprietor was obliged to consent to its 

 being sent away, provided its life was spared. 

 It was placed in a boat, which was rowed to a 

 considerable distance, and the seal then turned 

 into the water ; but it soon found its way back 

 to its old master. A second time it was taken 

 to a still farther distance ; but again came back. 

 A third time it was taken so far that the boat- 

 men were absent two or three days ; but, before 

 they consigned this seal to the waters, they 

 had the cruelty to put out its eyes. One day, 

 the gentleman thought he heard the plaintive 

 cry of his affectionate favourite. On opening 

 his door, there was the seal, who had strength 

 enough left to crawl so far, and then died : 

 thus showing his love to the last. It must have 

 died of starvation, as it was incapable of catching 

 any food. 



In the Firth of Forth, in Scotland, seals are 

 very numerous, and will often put up their 

 heads close to a boat. The fishermen, how- 

 ever, declare, that if there should be a gun in 

 the boat no seal will ever come within its 

 range. They are clever, sensible animals, and 



