OF SEALS IN GENERAL. 55 



skin, the legs extend backward, and the heels, 

 which are the first visible part, are found on each 

 side of the origin of the tail. The membrane of the 

 hind-feet is generally very long; and these feet are 

 of little or no use to the animals in walking. 



Their four fin-like feet render the motions of the 

 Seals very easy and graceful in their proper ele- 

 ment, the water. By means of their fore-feet, the 

 animals are able to lay hold on objects with so much 

 firmness as to drag themselves, with considerable 

 facility, up the shores, rocks, and even over shoals 

 of ice, however slippery they may be. They move 

 with much greater ease and velocity than might be 

 expected from their general form and appearance; 

 and oftentimes, though badly wounded, and the 

 distance very considerable, the hunters are not able 

 to overtake them, before they arrive at the edge of 

 the water, and precipitate themselves out of their 

 reach. 



All the Seals have nearly the same properties and 

 habits. They sleep principally during the day ; and 

 when they are awake and in motion, their instincts 

 are as perfect and as active as those of most other 

 quadrupeds. Their dispositions, generally speaking, 

 are mild and placid; and many of the species, if taken 

 young, may be rendered perfectly docile. Their 

 voice is expressive, and capable of considerable 

 modulation. 



These were the animals which, according to 



mythologists, composed the flocks or horses of 



E 4 Neptune, 



