250 LETTER XXXIX. 



THE SEAL 



is another amphibious animal, which seem,* to consti- 

 tute one of the last steps of gradation between the 

 race of quadrupeds and fishes, and which, although 

 generally classed by naturalists among the former, ap- 

 pears to partake in a greater degree of the nature and 

 habits of the latter. It is found, with some variation 

 of species, in almost every quarter of the globe; but 

 chiefly abounds in the northern seas of Europe, Asia, 

 and America, and in the unfrequented regions to- 

 wards the south pole. 



The usual length of this animal is five or six feet. 

 It is covered with short hair of various colours, 

 smooth, shining. It has five toes on each foot, which 

 are armed with strong sharp claws, whereby it is en- 

 abled to climb the rocks on which it delights to bask 

 in the sun. On the unpeopled shores, of the icy 

 seas under the arctic and antarctic circles, and still 

 nearer to the poles, these animals may be seen by 

 thousands on the rocks, or on the sandy beach. The 

 female sits on her hind legs while she suckles her 

 young. The growth of seals is amazingly rapid, and 

 the dam, after bringing them forth on the land, soon 

 carries them "with her into the sea, and learns them 

 to swim; when they are weary she places them on- 

 her back. The old ones are very attentive to their 

 young, which in their turn are docile and obedient. 



The flesh of the seal was formerly esteemed a deli- 

 cacy, although now but seldom eaten. That it was 

 once admitted to the tables of the great is evident, 

 from its constituting an article in the bill of fare of 

 .ihat sumptuous entertainment given by Archbishop 

 Neville, in the reign of Edward IV. though perhaps 

 scarcely a peasant in the kingdom would, at this day, 

 be willing to make it a part of his dinner. Such is the 

 change uf manners, such the influence of custom. 



If the flesh of this animal be fallen into disrepute, 

 the oil produced by its fat is perhaps held in higher 

 estimation, and sought with greater avidity than at 

 the period alluded to, or in any of the preceding ages : 

 a ycwng seal yields above eight gallons of this oil. 



