LEONINE SEAL. DOG KIND 53 



ble of being brought forward, and used on occasion. All 

 the toes are connected by webs. 



The hair of these animals is rough and long, and gene- 

 rally black in the males ; that of the females is cinereous. 

 The flesh, when young, is reckoned very good eating. 

 These creatures are extremely fierce, and will defend 

 themselves with wonderful resolution and strength. 



THE LEONINE SEAL. 



Cook, Forster, and others, have given this appellation 

 to an animal which differs considerably from the sea-lion of 

 Linnaeus. It is a very formidable creature ; the largest 

 of them measuring frequently from ten to fourteen feet 

 in length, and weighing from twelve to fifteen hundred 

 pounds. It is found in great numbers in the sea of Kamt- 

 schatka, and on the coast of Patagonia. It has a large 

 head, long thick whiskers, and the neck and shoulders of 

 the male are covered with long waving hair. The colour 

 is commonly a deep brown. 



These animals are gregarious, each male retaining from 

 twenty to thirty females. They have all a fierce aspect, 

 and make a terrible roaring ; but, on the approach of men, 

 commonly seek for security in the deep. 



THE DOG KIND. 



This is an extensive genus. They are furnished with 

 six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw, five toes be- 

 fore and four behind, and have the tail bent towards the 

 left ; which last property is the usual characteristic of the 

 whole kind. 



Of this tribe, the dog irfdisputably claims the pre-emi- 

 nence ; being at once the most intelligent and the most 

 friendly to man, of all quadrupeds. Independently of 

 the beauty of his form, his vivacity, force, docility, and 

 swiftness, he is possessed of all those complacent qualities 

 which are most likely to conciliate the affection of men. 

 Having been long domesticated, and thus become familiar 

 with human society, he scarcely retains a symptom of his 

 D 3 



