ELEPHANT SEAL. 223 



tears abundantly, whilst one of our wicked and 

 cruel sailors amused himself at the sight, knocking 

 out her teeth with an oar, whenever she opened her 

 mouth. The poor animal might have softened a 

 heart of stone ; its mouth streaming with blood, and 

 its eyes with tears." To this quiet submission there 

 are a few rare exceptions, as when a mother is inter- 

 ested about her offspring. Thus, it is recorded in 

 Anson's Voyage, " One day a sailor being carelessly, 

 and, we add, cruelly, employed in skinning a young 

 Sea- Elephant in its mother's presence, she came 

 upon him unperceived, and getting his head into 

 her mouth, scored his skull in notches in many 

 places, and thereby wounded him so desperately, 

 that, though all possible care was taken of him, yet 

 he died in a few days."* 



It is not on account of its flesh that this animal 

 is so earnestly pursued : this is not only black, oily, 

 and indigestible, but it is also impossible almost to 

 separate it from the lard. The tongues alone supply 

 really good aliment ; and they are salted with care, 

 and esteemed in the market. The heart is some- 

 times eaten, but it is hard and indigestible ; and 

 with regard to the liver, which is esteemed in some 

 Seals, it would appear, after repeated trials, to be 

 hurtful. The skin of the Seal is considered valu- 

 able, though not esteemed for its fur, its thickness 

 and strength recommend it much, and hence it is 

 extensively employed for carriages and horse har- 



Book ii. chap. 1. 



