204 COMMON SEAL 



to their master. In their natural state they do not 

 seem to exhibit the intelligence which they might 

 be inferred to possess from the great size of their 

 brain, and the predominance of their cranial over 

 their facial region ; but their mode of life renders 

 opportunities of observing their habits rare. They, 

 however, show the social propensity, for when their 

 labours are over, they repose in company, and vast 

 multitudes are sometimes seen ashore on remote 

 islands. Their affection toward their young is also 

 great, and they may be enticed within shot, or eveui 

 brought on shore, by imitating the whining cry of 

 the cub, especially if they have been deprived of 

 it. 



The following interesting account of the habits of 

 Seals in the Hebrides has been furnished by the 

 Rev. Mr Dunbar of Applegarth, in a letter to Mr 

 Lizars : 



" The fondness of these animals for musical sounds 

 is a curious peculiarity in their nature, and has been 

 to me often a subject of interest and amusement. 

 During a residence of some years in one of the 

 Hebrides, I had 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 afternoon, 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 



