ELEPHANT SEAL. 221 



they are precipitated against the rocks, and, in spite 

 of every effort, are dashed to pieces. They encounter 

 also other dangers in the depths of the ocean. The 

 fishers state that they sometimes unexpectedly see 

 them ascend from beneath the wave in the greatest 

 apparent alarm, many of them being covered with 

 wounds, and dyeing the water with their blood. 

 Their panic concurs with their wounds, in proving 

 they have been hunted by some formidable foes. 

 But what are these ? The fishers unanimously agree 

 that they know no animal that could make such 

 large and deep wounds ; they therefore presume 

 that these contests must be carried on with some un- 

 known monsters dwelling far from the coasts ; whilst 

 they at the same time allow they have never other- 

 wise been able to detect any trace of them. They 

 add, that it is doubtless to preserve their young 

 from these attacks that the Sea- Elephants prevent 

 them, with such assiduity, from diving too deeply, 

 or wandering too far from the flock, as formerly 

 noticed. 



But the most formidable of all their enemies is 

 encountered upon land, and this enemy is man. 

 We have already stated, that they are sometimes 

 forced ashore in New Holland and Van Diemen's 

 Land. The moment that the native savages per- 

 ceive one they surround it, while it in vain attempts 

 to regain the sea. Its retreat thus cut off, armed 

 with long pieces of wood burning at one end, the 

 savages attack the unfortunate brute. As soon as 

 he opens his mouth, showing the only weapons with 



