The Common Seal. 



69 



THE COMMON SEAL. (PJioca vitulina.) 



THE amphibious flesh-eating animals, though nearly 

 allied to the otter in their habits, are very different in 

 the construction of their bodies. Their feet are so short 

 and so enveloped in skin, that they are of scarcely any use 

 in assisting the animal on dry land ; so that the Seal's 

 progress on solid ground is only effected by a sort of half 

 tumbling, jumping, and shuffling motion, excessively 

 ridiculous to a looker-on. The feet, however, which are 

 furnished with strong claws, are of use in enabling the 

 animal to climb out of the water over a rocky shore. 

 For swimming, the Seal is admirably adapted ; its long 

 flexible body is shaped like that of a fish, tapering to tho 

 tail ; and it is furnished with strong webs between the 

 toes, so as to make the fore feet act as oars, and the hind 

 feet, which the animal generally drags behind it like a 

 tail, to serve as a rudder. The Common Seal lives 

 generally in the water, and feeds entirely on fish ; only 

 coming to shore occasionally to bask on the sands, and to 

 lie there to suckle its young. The usual length of a 

 Seal is four or five feet. The head is large and round ; 

 the neck small and short ; and on each side of the mouth 



