MONK SEAL 191 



it was liable to occasional fits of irritation and vio- 

 lence. At these times it was dangerous, and even 

 ferocious, for then it knew no one, nor regarded its 

 master's authority, so that he could not approach it 

 till after several hours return of calm composure. 

 On one occasion it seized him by the leg, and it was 

 with much difficulty it was forced to let go its hold, 

 by forcing an instrument into its mouth : at another 

 time it attacked a great dog, extensively lacerated 

 its h^ad with its teeth, and displayed the blindest 

 rage against every object that came in its way. 

 These paroxysms becoming worse and worse, it at 

 length pined away, and died in August 1779. 



The period between its several inspirations was 

 very long, and in the interval the nostrils were ac- 

 curately closed, during which time they appeared 

 like two longitudinal slits on the end of the snout. 

 The creature opened them to make a strong expira- 

 tion, which was immediately followed by an inspi- 

 ration, after which it closed them as before; and 

 often allowed two minutes to intervene without tak- 

 ing another breath. The breathing was accompanied 

 with a loud snuffling noise. This animal, like its 

 congeners, slept frequently during the day ; its 

 snoring was heard at a considerable distance, and 

 it could not be raised without difficulty from its 

 slumbers. When drowsy, it did not promptly at- 

 tend to its master, and it was only by putting food 

 under its very nose that it could be excited to its 

 accustomed energy and vivacity. It then raised its 



