420 



THE STAND-NAT. 



little effect, that the seal not only made itself master of 

 them, but compelled him to flee for shelter to the fore 

 part of the craft ; and even this would have proved an 

 insufficient shelter had not assistance been at hand. 



Seals, even if umvoundcd, would appear at times to bo 

 dangerous. " There are many rocks in the Skargurd," 

 writes Carl Knutberg, under date of 1755, " on which 

 these animals may be seen daily, occasionally as 

 many as fifteen together, whore they fight desperately 

 amongst themselves. It is not advisable presumptuously 

 to attack such a troop, amongst which may be some 

 of the size of a large horse. It is said that some years 

 ngo two men rowed to a Skal-Berg, or seal rock, situated 

 near to Ilernosand (Gulf of Bothnia), for the purpose of 

 shooting seals, but they were so set upon, whilst in the 

 boat, by these animals that even with the aid of a spear 

 and an axe they had difficulty in escaping with life." 



THE STAN11 S -.1 



Seals, more especially the Common and the Marbled 

 Seal, are also frequently taken in nets. That in most 



