376 SEASIDE DIVINITY. 



trunk bears no inconsiderable resemblance in its 

 general figure to the body of a fish. It is elon- 

 gated and conical, tapering from the chest to the 

 tail ; the hinder limbs are directed backwards so 

 as to terminate the body, and consist of broad 

 webbed and powerful paddles ; the whole struc- 

 ture of the body combined with the animal's great 

 muscular power adapting it, like a fish, to make 

 its way with extraordinary ease and rapidity 

 through the element in which it chiefly lives, and 

 to seize upon its finny prey, notwithstanding the 

 swiftness of their movements. 



The structure of this creature's body exhibits 

 several other most striking instances of adaptation, 

 one or two of which we cannot refrain from point- 

 ing out. Water is the principal element in which 

 the seal has its abode, and in order to capture its 

 prey it is frequently necessary for the animal to 

 remain immersed for a considerable length of 

 time. Its respiration accordingly corresponds 

 with this necessity, differing materially from what 

 is observed in most other animals. It is able to 

 remain at least twenty minutes under water, 

 during which time the nostrils are closed, so that 

 during its immersion no water can enter the air 

 passages. Even when on land the period inter- 

 vening between the inspirations has been found 

 to be of great length, two minutes often occurring 

 between each breath ; but the great quantity of 

 air taken in upon each breath makes up for the 

 small number of the animal's respirations. 



