AMPHIBIOUS QUADRUPEDS. 



393 



This animal differs also in the formation of 

 its tongue from all other quadrupeds. It is 

 forked or slit at the end, like that of serpents ; 

 but for what purpose it is thus singularly con- 

 trived we are at a loss to know. We are 

 much better informed with respect to a third 

 singularity in its conformation, which is, that 

 the foramen ovale in the heart is open. Those 

 who are in the least acquainted with anatomy, 

 know, that the veins uniting bring their blood 

 to the heart, which sends it into the lungs, and 

 from thence it returns to the heart again to be 

 distributed through the whole body. Ani- 

 mals, however, before they are born, make no 

 use of their lungs ; and therefore their blood, 

 without entering their lungs, takes a shorter 

 passage through the very partition of the heart, 

 from one of its chambers to the other, thus 

 passing from the veins directly into those 

 vessels that drive it through the whole frame. 

 But the moment the animal is brought forth, 

 the passage through the partition, which pass- 

 age is called the. foramen ovale, closes up, and 

 continues closed for ever ; for the blood then 

 takes its longest course through the lungs to 

 return to the other chamber of the heart again. 

 Now the seal's heart resembles that of an infant 

 in the womb, for the foramen ovale never 

 closes ; a and although the blood of this ani- 

 mal commonly circulates through the lungs, 

 yet it can circulate without their assistance, as 

 was observed above, by a shorter way. From 

 hence, therefore, we see the manner in which 

 this animal is adapted for continuing under 

 water; for, being under no immediate neces- 

 sity of breathing, the vital motions are still 

 carried on while it continues at the bottom ; 

 so that it can pursue its prey in that element, 

 and yet enjoy all the delights and advantages 

 of ours. 



The water is the seal's usual habitation, and 

 whatever fish it can catch is its food. Though 

 not equal in instinct and cunning to some ter- 

 restrial animals, it is greatly superior to the 

 mute tenants of that element in which it chiefly 

 resides. Although it can continue for several 

 minutes under water, yet it is not able, like 

 fishes, to remain there for any length of 

 time ; and a seal may be drowned, like any 



* I have followed the usual observations of naturalists 

 with respect to the foramen ovalf in this animal : I have 

 many reasons, however, to incline me to think that the 



other terrestrial animal. Thus it seems supe- 

 rior, in some respects, to the inhabitants of 

 both elements, and inferior in many more. 

 Although furnished with legs, it is in some 

 measure deprived of all the advantages of 

 them. b They are shut up within its body, 

 while nothing appears but the extremities of 

 them, and these furnished with very little mo- 

 tion, but to serve them as fins in the water. 

 The hind feet, indeed, being turned backwards, 

 are entirely useless upon land ; so that w hen 

 the animal is obliged to move, it drags itself 

 forward like a reptile, and with an effort more 

 painful. For this purpose it is obliged to use 

 its fore feet, which, though very short, serve 

 to give it such a degree of swiftness that a man 

 cannot readily overtake it ; and it runs towards 

 the sea. As it is thus awkwardly formed for 

 going upon land, it is seldom found at any 

 distance from the sea shore, but continues to 

 bask upon the rocks ; and, when disturbed, 

 always plunges down at once to the bottom. 



The seal is a social animal, and w herever it 

 frequents numbers are generally seen together. 

 They are found in every climate, but in the 

 north and icy seas they are particularly 

 numerous. It is on those shores, which are 

 less inhabited than ours, and where the fish 

 resort in greater abundance, that they are seen 

 by thousands, like flocks of sheep, basking on 

 the rocks, and suckling their young. There 

 they keep watch like other gregarious animals ; 

 and, if an enemy appear, instantly plunge 

 altogether into the water. In fine weather 

 they more usually employ their time in fish- 

 ing ; and generally come on shore in tempests 

 and storms. The seal seems the only animal 

 that takes delight in these tremendous con- 

 flicts of nature. In the midst of thunders and 

 torrents, when every other creature takes 

 refuge from the fury of the elements, the seals 

 are seen by thousands sporting along the shore, 

 and delighted with the universal disorder ! 

 This, however, may arise from the sea being 

 at that time too turbulent for them to reside 

 in ; and they may then particularly come upon 

 land when unable to resist the shock of their 

 more usual element. 



As seals are gregarious, so they are also ani- 



foramen is not entirely open. But this is not the place for 

 a critical inquiry of this kind. 

 b Buffon. 



