SEALS. < 



Unsuccessful chase of the fish even in their n:iti\.- element, ami it has several limes hapjiened 

 thai captive Seals have Uen trained to catch tish for the service of th.-ir owners. 



Tlr Iv-r" hairs: im-h thick and long, aixl in many species are marked with 



I Minions margin, which gives them the appearan 4 I- red with knobs. Tin ii 



i..i>.i! MraohiMttN Donnected with -.< led f tagi Mr?M, rialku i-- ih" f tbc Ikm'i lip. 

 whi.-li ha* already U-en figured on page 120, and it in very probable that this structure may 

 aid them in the capture of th.-ir fumy prey. The sense ..f smell is larg.lv devdo|ed, and the 

 ton-ue is rouirh. ami slightly cleft at its extremity ; the rea.son for this structure is not known. 



Tin- bra in of the Seal i- v.-r\ large in projxirtion t<i tin- Uxly, and, as might be ex]>ect-d 

 from this circumstance, tin- creature is extremely intelligent, ami is cajmble of liecoiiiing very 

 d<-ile when placed under the tuition of a careful instructor. The eyes are large, full, and 

 intelligent, and the nostrils are HO formed that they can be effectually Honed while the crea- 

 ture is submerged beneath the surface of the water, and opened as soon as it rises for the 

 purpo of n>s]iir.ition. At every breath the nostrils open widely, and seem to <!<>*< a^ain l>\ 

 in ians ,f the i -ii' :' v of thf sulistanottol which thej an 1 ' 'inj -< i 'I'll.- ears nn- :(!- fur 

 nished with a |N-euliar structure for the pur]x>se of ii-sistini; the entnince of water. 



The true Sal8 are found only in the sea, and at the mouths of various la rye rivers, and are 

 wonderfully abundant in the polar regions. None of them are known to inhabit the tropical 

 jurts of the earth. S.-vi-ral sjHTies occur upon our ov\ n shores, more esjNrially on the more 

 northern coast-, ami the common Seal, Phoca ritiilinn, is found in yreat numl>ers around the 

 north-Til shores. 



The teeth <-f thii Seals an- very remarkable, and admirably adapted for seizing and retain- 

 ing the slippery prey. The canine teeth are long, sharp, and powerful, and the molar t.-eih 

 are covered with lony and -harp points of various sizes, so that when once caught in the gripe 

 of thes,- formidable wcajxins, there is but scant hope of escajie for the lish. 



The >.-aN a if not very prolific animals ; the number of their young family bein-r seldom 

 more than two. and often iv-iiii-ied to a single offspring. AS the yi.un- Seals would be unable, 

 during the earlier portion of their existence, to battle with the sea waves, and to cling firmly 

 to their parent while she afforded them their needful nourishment, the mother Seal retire* to 

 the shores when she is called upon to take upon herself the pleasing cares of maternity, and 

 cherishes her young for a season on land, l>efore she ventures to commit them to the waves. 



Owing to the excessive shyness of disposition which characterize the Seals, and the wary 

 caution with which they retire from the sight of mankind, their domestic habits are very little 

 known. Indeed, were it not that many sjiecimens of the common S*al had l>een captured and 

 tamed, we should have but little information on the manners or the habits of those curious 

 animals. There are many species of Seals, which have been separated into various p-neni by 

 different authors upon different grounds. Some, for example, found the generic distinction 

 upon the alnence or presence of external ears, others from the incisor teeth, and others from 

 the molars and the i^-nenil character of the skull. 



The ORDER which includes the Seals is named P/////'///, from the wing-like feet, com- 

 mon to all the s]-'ies; Flii.]ers " they are called by the "toilers of the sea." 



Though inhabiting the sea, these creatures are air-breathing mammals. A view of the 

 skeletons of a Seal, a whale, and a hind quadruped gives one at mice the true relationship. 

 It is the exterior that is modified to suit the natural surroundings of the animals. Seals are 

 not numerous a- sjH-cies ; not over thirty have lieen recorded. Two species are found in the 

 West India Islands ; tin- remainder are confined to the colder JH.H ion of the glol*-. 



Seals .:>. ad ;): to .1 certain BKteBl Ed l'"'"iii'.:i"ii .MI l.,ii. I I'he mus< |es i,| the < unk 

 are enormously d'-velojM-d. to aid the weaker anatomy of the extremities. Amp!.- op]ortiinity 

 is offered to witness the progression of these creatures in public collections. Tliey bear con- 

 finement much letter than most animals, requiring little water : thriving well with the meagre 

 supply afforded them in the tanks of the showmen, and fresh water seems all sufficient. 



Their movement on land is laltorious. and reminds one of the inch-worm, as it hitches 

 aloni;. placing its fore- feet forward, and then quickly drawing the hinder extremities under 

 its U-dy f,,r another spring. 



