84 HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS 



upon the back seat, lash the two front flippers securely 

 to either side, and tuck the hind ones under the 

 front seat. We then left to the keeper the task 

 of conveying the seal to the little pier at Scalasaig, 

 where, swathed in cocoa-nut matting, it was delivered 

 on board the steamer, consigned to Rowland Ward, 

 Piccadilly. The keeper also took with him two letters 

 to post, advising the Museum authorities of the con- 

 signment. These letters had been prepared and 

 written in anticipation of the event fortunately not in 

 vain. The seal duly arrived at its destination, "in 

 good order and condition," within thirty-six hours of 

 the time when his siesta on a rock on the borders of 

 the Atlantic had been so rudely disturbed. The artist 

 we lost in 1913, who by his will benefited the Museum 

 which so many of his masterpieces adorn, made the 

 most of his opportunity, and produced a result which 

 contrasts very favourably with the older specimens. 

 The curious may see our seal " in his habit as he 

 lived " in the case of British mammals at the end of 

 the long bird gallery which runs to the left of the 

 Central Hall. 



