70 



COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF 



sb 



The important work of lactation and procreation 

 accomplished, with the returning spring the Seals 

 again resort to their more distant and almost im- 

 penetrable icy haunts, where, in that deep solitude 

 which they love, and almost removed from human 

 ken, they spend their time in a way with which it 

 is not easy for us to become familiar. The regu 

 larity with which these migrations are accomplished 

 is often remarkable ; and is thus alluded to by an 

 ancient Poet : 



When they the approaching time perceive, 

 They flee the deep, and watery pastures leave : 

 On the dry ground, far from the swelling tide 

 Bring forth their young, and on the shores abide, 

 Till twice six times they see the Eastern gleams 

 Brighten the hills, and tremble on the streams. 

 The thirteenth morn, soon as the early dawn 

 Hangs out its crimson folds or spreads its lawn, 

 No more the fields and lofty coverts please, 

 Each hugs her own, and hastes to rolling seas. 



The uniformity and power of this instinct are 

 strongly set forth in the following extract : " In the 



