56 ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



belly, with lamp-black and oil. The origin of this ceremony 

 is unknown, but from the seriousness with which it is per- 

 formed it seems to be one of high importance." The 

 Greenlanders connect strange ideas of honor and glory with 

 the chase of the seal. They will expose themselves to the 

 greatest dangers, wandering over the waves for days together 

 without any other guide than the sun and moon, and as they 

 deem it disgraceful to leave any part of their game behind 

 them, they sometimes overload their limber, crazy boats, and 

 disdaining to save their lives by relinquishing their highly- 

 prized acquisitions, proudly perish with them in the waves. 



THE COMMON SEAL (JPhoca vitulina) is abundant on the 

 shores of the loAver St. Lawrence and northern parts of the 

 sea coast generally being occasionally met with on inland 

 waters connected with the sea. One was taken on the ice in 

 Lake Ontario, near Cape Vincent, in 1823-4, and one was 

 captured in Lake Champlain in 1810, probably having 

 reached there by way of the St. Lawrence and Richelieu 

 river. They may occasionally be seen in winter opposite 

 Montreal in openings in the ice disporting themselves ; and 

 a fine young specimen was given to that city by the officers 

 of the " Shandon," taken off the ice .in the Gulf in 1864. It 

 is to be regretted that this specimen died, probably from want 

 of a sufficient depth of water, and the too eager curiosity of 

 the people. 



THE HOODED SEAL (Stemmatopus cristatus') is found on the 

 shores of Newfoundland and Greenland. A fine specimen 

 was captured at East Chester, New York, a few years ago. 

 It occasionally finds it way up the St. Lawrence. This seal 

 has a peculiar appendage to its head, formed by the exten- 

 sion of the skin in front, which can be elevated or depressed 

 at pleasure. No satisfactory idea has been given for the use 

 of this hood, it being supposed by some to be a protection 

 for the eyes, and by others as a reservoir for air when the 

 animal is under water; but DeKay remarks, very truly, 



