TAME SEALS. 137 



could fix them to the spot ; and when I moved along the 

 water edge, they would follow me with eagerness." 



The food of the seal appears to be chiefly fish, although 

 it does not reject other animal food, and it is said to derive 

 part of its nourishment from marine vegetables. It has been 

 found that seals have a remarkable habit of swallowing 

 large stones, for which no probable reason has been yet as- 

 signed. The keeper of the celebrated " talking seal" in the 

 Zoological Gardens is reported to have given his pet fifty 

 pounds' weight of fish in a day, but this is by no means a 

 limit of appetite, for double the quantity would no doubt 

 have found a ready reception. This will give you an idea 

 of the vast consumption of fish in its native element. A 

 good-sized Spitzbergen seal in good condition is about ten 

 feet in length and six feet in circumference, weighing about 

 six hundred pounds or upwards. The skin and fat amount 

 to about one-half the total weight. The blubber yields 

 about one-half of its own weight in oil. 



It has been supposed that seals can be easily tamed, but 

 such cases are exceptional. Some of the common species, 

 however, have shown great attachment to their owners, and 

 oxhibited considerable powers of intelligence. An anecdote 

 is related of a seal that performed very cleverly what it was 

 ordered to do, and would raise itself on its hind legs, take a 

 staff in its paws, and act the sentinel. At the word of com- 

 mand it would lie down on its right side or left, and tumble 

 head over heels. It would give either of its paws when de- 

 sired, and was equally ready at a kiss. Another was kept by 

 Cuvier for a considerable time, and became very tame. 

 When teased it resisted, and when much irritated barked 

 very feebly. It was particularly attached to the old woman 

 who had charge of it, and recognized her at a considerable 

 distance, keeping its eyes upon her as long as she was in 

 sight, and running to her as soon as she approached its en- 

 closure. If free when food was brought; it ran and urgently 



