THE SEAL. 



Seal Hunting in the Shetland Isles. 



An interesting account of the habits of the Seal, as observed in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, is 

 given in the " Fauna Orcadensis" of the Rev. George Low, minister of Birsa and Haray, from which wc 

 extract the following particulars. 



" Seals are very numerous in these parts, especially in the desert isles or sea-rocks that are separated 

 from the land ; there they lie in droves when the sea is low,, and in season bring forth their young. 



" The Seal swims with great rapidity, and, before a gale of wind, is full of frolic, jumping and tumbling 

 about, sometimes throwing itself entirely out of the water, and performing many awkward gambols, at last 

 retiring to its wonted rock or cavern, and there remaining till the storm is over. Seals seem to have much 

 curiosity. If people are passing in boats they often come up very close, stare at them, and follow them a 

 considerable time. If the people are speaking loud, they seem to pay much attention, and to exhibit some 

 surprise. The Church of Hoy, in Orkney, is situated near a small sandy bay, which is much frequented 

 by these animals ; and Mr. Low used to observe that when the bell rung for divine service, all the Seals 

 within hearing would swim directly for the shore, and would remain while the bells continued ringing, 

 looking about with much appearance of wonder, but without alarm." 



Numbers of Seals are yearly caught upon the northern coasts, both with nets and shot, for the sake 

 chiefly of the skins and oil. Mr. Low was credibly informed that in North Ronaldsha they were taken 

 also for eating, and that very good hams were made from them. He had seen large numbers of Seals cut 

 up, and had no doubt that the young ones might eat tolerably well ; but the flesh of the old ones is coarse- 

 grained and 'black, and must be very indifferent food. We are not so much surprised as Mr. Low that the 

 people of Ronaldsha should eat Seals. He was probably aware, from Pennant, that Seals formerly found a 

 place at the tables of the great even in England, as appears from the bill of fare of the famous feast given 

 by Archbishop Neville, in the reign of Edward IV., which states that several were provided on that 

 occasion. Mr. Low also informs us that in his time, (he died in 1795,) a ship went annually from Pomona 

 to Soliskerry, and seldom returned without two or three hundred Seals. She was manned with between 

 thirty and forty men. 



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