152 THE COMMON SEAL. 



aud more conspicuous along the back than upon the sides. The under 

 portions of the body are of a much lighter hue. The feet are short, 

 and the claws of the hinder feet are larger than those of the anterior 

 limbs. The total length of the adult Seal is seldom more than five 

 feet, the head being about eight or nine inches long. 



This creature is wonderfully active both in water and on land, al- 

 though its bodily powers are but awkwardly manifested when it is re- 

 moved from the watery element in which it loves to roam. It is a per- 

 severing hunter of fish, chasing and securing them in a manner that 

 greatly excites the wrath of the fishermen, who see their best captives 

 taken away from them without the possibility of resistance. So cunning as 

 well as active is the Common Seal that one of these animals will coolly 

 hang about the fishing-grounds throughout the season, make itself fa- 

 miliar with all the turns and angles of the nets, and avail itself of 



The Seal [Phoca vituUna). 



their help in capturing the fish on which it is desirous to make a 

 meal. 



On the British coasts the chase of the Seal is of but local import- 

 ance, but on the shore of Newfoundland it assumes a different aspect, 

 and becomes an important branch of commercial enterprise, employing 

 many vessels annually. In a successful season the number of Seals 

 which are taken amounts to many hundred thousand. A large quan- 

 tity of oil is obtained from the bodies of the Seals, and is used for va- 

 rious purposes, while their skins are of considerable value either when 

 tanned into leather or when prepared with the fur and used for making 

 various articles of dress and luxury. 



The Common Seal is very easily tamed, and speedily becomes one of 

 the most docile of animals, attaching itself with strong affection to its 

 human friends, and developing a beautifully gentle and loving nature, 

 hardly to be expected in such an animal. Many of these creatures 

 have been taken when young, and have been strongly domesticated 

 with their captors, considering themselves to belong of right to the 



