242 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Tame seals. 



It is asserted, that these animals delight in 

 thunder-storms, and that on such occasions they 

 sit upon the rocks, contemplating with evident 

 pleasure the convulsions of the elements. 



It is a known fact that seals, when taken 

 young, may be rendered perfectly tame, and 

 taught to follow their master like a dog. A 

 respectable writer informs us that some years 

 ago a young seal was thus domesticated : ef it 

 was taken at a little distance from the sea, and 

 was generally kept in a vessel full of salt w r ater; 

 but sometimes was permitted to crawl about the 

 house, and even to approach the fire. Its natural 

 food was regularly procured for it; and it was 

 taken to the sea every day, and thrown in from 

 a boat. It used to swim after the boat, and 

 always suffered itself to be taken back. It lived 

 thus for several weeks ; and probably would have 

 lived much longer, had it not been sometimes 

 too roughly used." 



In the year 1754, a seal was exhibited in Lon- 

 don, which would answer to the call of his keep- 

 er, take food from his hand, crawl out of the 

 water, and stretch himself out at full length on 

 the ground. He would even thrust out his neck 

 and appear to salute the keeper, as often as the 

 man pleased; and when directed, would again 

 return into the water. A few years since, a far- 

 mer of Aberdowr, near the Frith of Forth, in 

 going out among the rocks to catch shell-fish, 

 discovered a young seal, about two feet and a 



