54 OF SEALS IN GENERAL. 



pending their respiration for a considerable while 

 together. Still, however, they are obliged,, at in- 

 tervals, to put up their noses above the surface of the 

 water, in order to reject the contaminated air from 

 their lungs, and take in a fresh supply. The Seals 

 require occasional intervals of repose, and some- 

 times even a long continuance on dry land. At 

 particular periods, therefore, and especially during 

 the seasons of producing and rearing their young, 

 they forsake the water, and congregate, frequently 

 in vast multitudes, on floating ice or insulated 

 rocks. 



All the Seals appear to be much more partial to 

 Cold than to warm climates : yet, some of them are 

 observed in almost every sea. Of the three species 

 that frequent the British coast, only one, the Com- 

 mon Seal, is found in any abundance; and this, 

 principally, on the most rocky and uninhabited 

 shores of Scotland and Ireland. 



The feet of these animals bear a great external 

 resemblance to fins. Of the fore-legs, which out- 

 wardly appear to be very short, the parts called by 

 anatomists the arm and fore-arm, are concealed un- 

 der the skin of the breast; the wrist being the first 

 joint on the outside. The toes are inclosed in a 

 membrane, and have each a strong nail. Of the 

 hinder extremities, neither the thighs nor legs are 

 visible. On each side of the body, and at no great 

 distance from the tail, is an eminence, which is 

 formed by the knee. From this, but under the 



skin 



