GREENLAND SEAL. 159 



It is alleged that this species has a great dread 

 of the Sperm- Whales, which in numbers pursue 

 them to the shore. The remark probably applies 

 to most genera, both of Seals and of Whales ; and 

 of the Grampus it has been stated, that if he per- 

 ceives a Seal basking on floating ice, he will do his 

 best to upset it, or beat it off with his fins into the 

 water, where it becomes an easy prey. The Green - 

 landers frequently take advantage of these Whale 

 hunts, and when the Seals are hemmed in, join in 

 the pursuit, and come in for a large share of the 

 booty. 



Crantz tells us that "this is a careless, stupid Seal, 

 and the only one which the Greenlanders, when 

 quite alone, will venture to attack. This he does 

 in his Kajak, which is shaped like a weaver's shuttle. 

 Thus equipped, away he goes with as high a con- 

 ceit of himself as any Mr Captain in his ship. 

 When he spies the Seal he tries to surprise it 

 unawares with the wind and sun in his back, that 

 he may not be heard or seen. He makes hastily, 

 but softly, towards it, till he reaches within four or 

 six fathoms. He then takes hold of the oar in his 

 left hand, and the harpoon with his right, and so 

 away he throws it at the Seal. The moment the 

 instrument is fixed, the Greenlander must throw the 

 attached buoy into the water on the same side that 

 the Seal dives, for that he does instantly like a dart. 

 The Seal often draws the buoy along with it under 

 water, and it so wearies itself, that it must come up 

 again, in about a quarter of an hour, to take breath. 



