THE SEAL. 369 



into those vessels that drive it through the whole frame. 

 But the moment the animal is brought forth, the passage 

 through the partition, which passage is called the foramen 

 ovale, closes up, and continues closed forever ; 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 ; and although the blood of 

 this animal 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 necessity of 

 breathing, the vital motions are still carried on while it con- 

 tinues 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 equaj^ in instinct 

 and cunning to some terrestrial animals, it is greatly supe- 

 rior 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 other terrestrial animal. Thus it seems superior, in 

 some respects, to the inhabitants of both elements, and in- 

 ferior in many more. Although furnished with legs, it is 

 in some measure deprived of all the advantages of them. 

 They are shut up within its body, while nothing appears 

 but the extremities of them, and these furnished with very 

 little motion, but to serve them as fins in the water. The 

 hind feet, indeed, being turned backwards, are entirely 

 useless upon land ; so that when 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 



