THE SKAL-KIKAIIE. 417 



where the animal went down. This point gained, he has 

 recourse to his Skal-kikare,* or seal telescope, and nar- 

 rowly scans the bottom, which, unless the water be thick, 

 is clearly discernible at a depth of from six to eight 

 fathoms; and when he has descried the object of his 

 search a matter of the less difficulty, as the belly of the 

 seal, which is of a light colour, usually lies uppermost 

 when the animal is dead he, by means of a grappling 

 iron with which he is likewise equipped, forthwith hauls 

 it into his boat. 



Sometimes, M. Ilolmers tell us, the seal is shot when 

 reposing on the rocks during the night-time, for it is then 

 less afraid, and will allow a person to approach very 

 close. To enable the hunter to take a better aim, however, 

 he runs a line with a piece of chalk (a thin slip of wood, 

 nine inches in length, having been previously affixed to 

 the fore part of the barrel) from "breech" to "sight." 

 At times, moreover, as we learn from the same writer, the 

 Seal is lured within gun-shot by means of " Lackning," 

 or imitating its call-note. This plan succeeds best during 

 the pairing season. The hunter proceeds to the part of 

 the Skargard where these animals are known to con- 



at once. Hence it is an object to fire at the animal the moment its head 

 appears above the surface. 



* Of these implements there are two kinds. One is trumpet-shaped, 

 and somewhat resembles those for reconnoitring oyster-beds. It is from 

 two to six feet in length, according to fancy ; the smaller end, or that which 

 one looks through, is an inch or so in diameter, and open ; but the lower 

 which is glazed, and to which a sufficient weight is attached for sinking the 

 implement in the water up to the middle, is some seven or eight inches 

 wide. The other kind of " Sk;il-Kikare " consists of a wooden frame 

 square or circular, is immaterial of a foot or so in depth, and of a capacity 

 sufficient to admit the head wholly or in part. The upper portion is of 

 course open ; but the lower, or that inserted in the water, is provided with 

 a piece of glass. A common water bucket, glazed at the bottom, will in 

 not answer the purpose perfectly well. 



2 E 



