THE SEAL. 



The fore-feet of the Seal are 

 used as fins, and the two hinder 

 feet almost as the tail of a fish, 

 to assist and direct its course. 

 On land the movements of this 

 animal are very clumsy; it 

 shuffles along by means of its 

 fore-feet, or rather paddles, and 

 drags its hind feet after it. 



When surprised, basking on 

 the shore, it scrambles off' to- 

 wards the water; but if inter- 

 cepted, dashes at its antagonist, 

 oversets him, if possible, and 

 makes its escape as fast as it 

 can. When taken young, it 

 is easily tamed. 



The Elephant Seal is found 

 in the Atlantic, Pacific, and 

 Southern Oceans. It is much 

 larger than the Common Seal, being from twenty to thirty feet long. It derives its name from the long 

 snout, something like the proboscis of the elephant, or rather the tapir, which it thrusts forward when angry, 

 and snorts loudly. Only the males have this proboscis, and they do not attain it until they are three years 

 old. Although its appearance is very formidable, it does not attempt to attack men ; but if it cannot 

 frighten them by opening its mouth and displaying its teeth, it makes off towards the water, but with great 

 deliberation, as when in good condition it is so fat that its body trembles like a mass of jelly, and will 

 furnish seventy gallons of oil. This oil is the principal object of the South Pacific Seal fishery ; but the 

 skin of this Seal is also very valuable for its strength, and is used in making harness. The Seal skin is 

 often used as fur. It is a migratory animal and changes its residence several times in the year, the first 

 migration taking place in June. 



There are many Seals known, among which are the Sea Leopard, a spotted species; the Harp Seal, so 

 called from the markings on its back something resembling a lyre ; and the Sea Lion. 



In Greenland, hunting Seals is an important occupation. No man can pass for a true Greenlander who 

 cannot catch Seals. To the Greenlander, then, the sea is his pasturage, where his flocks and herds are fed ; 

 the sea is his hunting-domain, where, in his light kajak, or Seal-skin canoe, he skims over the waves. 



Icelanders Hunting the Seal. 



Icelanders Ilunting Seal3 on the Ice. 



Harp Seal. 



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