SEAL -SHOOTING. 85 



to land and stalk from the shore. If from the 

 direction of the wind or other obstacles this is 

 impracticable, the shore chance from a boat is 

 frequently an indifferent one, but the shot at the 

 head when they come up after the first dive is 

 almost certain to be point-blank. 



A boat for seals should be light, and draw as 

 little water as possible. For this purpose, and to 

 prevent rocking, the build must be broad, short, 

 and flat. Frequently you have to pole through 

 shallows only a few inches deep, while now and 

 then dragging your shallop over an isthmus may 

 be the only means of securing an excellent chance. 

 As dead seals always lie on their backs at the 

 bottom, the white bellies may be seen at consider- 

 able depth. A strong cord with very large hooks 

 and lead attached is, therefore, a most useful ap- 

 pendage to fish them up. 



The monster ocean seals were rare in Loch-na- 

 Gaul, but I have detected one or two about the 

 entrance of the loch, always, however, shy of trust- 

 ing themselves within bullet-range, and shunning 

 the parts of the coast or the rocks where they 

 might possibly be surprised. In the outer He- 



