144 MARBLED SEAL. 



rather than repress the liberties taken. If the pup- 

 pies escaped from the enclosure, the Seal endea- 

 voured to follow them, notwithstanding the difficul- 

 ty it experienced in creeping along the ground, 

 covered with stones and rubbish. When the 

 weather was cold, the three animals huddled closely 

 and kindly together, that they might contribute to 

 their mutual warmth." 



The creature did not exhibit any alarm at the 

 presence of man or animals, and did not flee unless 

 when run upon in such a way as to threaten its 

 being trod upon, when it got out of the way to 

 avoid injury. Though very voracious, it did not 

 manifest any opposition or anger when robbed of 

 its food. 4< Often," says the learned Naturalist, 

 " have I tried him when pressed with hunger, and 

 he never opposed my will ; and I have seen the 

 dogs, to whom he was much attached, amuse them- 

 selves when he was feeding, by snatching the fish 

 from his mouth, without his exhibiting any rage. 

 Cn the other hand, when their mess was supplied 

 to the Seals, (for he had a companion,) as they were 

 lying in the same trough, a battle was the usual re- 

 sult, and blows with their paws followed, and as 

 usually happens, the more feeble and timid left the 

 livid to the stronger."* 



* Mammif. Livr. 1319. 



