NOV. SEALS. 49 



ings, whose opportunities of observation, and acute- 

 ness in judging on all points connected with sub- 

 jects of this kind, ought to make his favourable 

 opinion of otters equivalent to a verdict of acquittal 

 whenever they are accused of being great salmon 

 destroyers. 



The seal, on the contrary, is a constant and 

 most annoying enemy to the salmon-fisher, breaking 

 the stake-nets, and enabling the fish who are already 

 enclosed to escape. Besides which a seal, hunting 

 along the shore near the nets, drives the salmon 

 out into the deeper water, beyond the reach of the 

 fisherman. The seal is also a much more rapid 

 swimmer than the otter, and I have no doubt that 

 he can take a salmon by actual speed in the open 

 sea, although he cunningly prefers catching his 

 prey with the assistance of the stake-nets, when he 

 has comparatively little trouble. 



I have frequently been told that the seal cannot 

 remain under water for more than a quarter of an 

 hour without coming to the surface to breathe. 

 I am, however, confident that this is not the case, 

 and that he can continue for hours under the water 

 when lying undisturbed and at rest. If caught 

 and entangled in a net he is soon exhausted and 

 drowned. 



I was assured by a man who was constantly in 



VOL. II. E 



