ITS LOVE OF MUSIC. 391 



is somewhat curious. It follows the swell of the sea to the 

 rock, and on the wave breaking allows itself to be lifted 

 some height up the face, of it, to which, with its fore paws- 

 crossed, it then clings with great apparent tenacity. In 

 this situation it remains stationary until another and larger 

 wave carries it still farther up the rock, when it forms 

 a secoud lodgment; and thus it continues to advance 

 until sufficiently high up the rock to be enabled to 

 draw its heavy and clumsy hind quarters to its purposed 

 place of repose. 



Its sense of hearing is very acute, and that even when 

 under water. Hence a whistle from the seal-hunter 

 often brings it to the surface. Music seems to have 

 peculiar charms for this animal. " During a residence of. 

 some years in one of the Hebrides," says Mr. Lizars, "Iliad 

 many opportunities of witnessing this peculiarity, and, in 

 fact, could call forth its manifestation at pleasure. In 

 walking along the shore in the calm of a summer after- 

 noon, a few notes of my flute would bring half a score of 

 them within thirty or' forty yards of me, and there they 

 would swim about, with their heads above water, like so 

 many black dogs, evidently delighted with the sounds. 

 For half an hour, or, indeed, for any length of time I chose, 

 I could fix them to the spot ; and when I moved along the 

 water's edge, they would follow me with eagerness, like 

 the dolphins who, it is said, attended Arion, as if anxious 

 to prolong the enjoyment. I have frequently witnessed 

 the same effect when out on a boat excursion. The sound 

 of the flute, or of a common fife, blown by one of the 

 boatmen, was no sooner heard, than half a dozen would 

 start up within a few yards, wheeling round us as long as 

 the music played, and disappearing, one after another, 

 when it ceased." 



Its sense of smell is also exceedingly acute. Old seal- 

 hunters have assured me it can wind a man from an in- 



