THE BOTTLE-NOSED SEAL. 



Sports of the young seals. 



frequently tumble one another on the ground ; 

 while the male parent looks on with evident com- 

 placency, licks and kisses them, and seems to 

 take a greater affection to the victor than to the 

 other. 



On Bering's island these animals are said to be 

 found in such numbers that they completely co- 

 ver the shore ; and travellers are obliged, for their 

 own safety, to leave the sands and level country, 

 and go over the hills. It is, however, remark- 

 able, that they only frequent that part of the 

 coast which is towards Kamtschatka. In the be- 

 ginning of June they retire to the southward, to 

 bring forth their young; and return about the 

 end of August. 



The flesh of the females and young is said to 

 be exceedingly good ; but that of the males is 

 very rank. 



The general colour of these animals is black. 

 They are covered with a coat of large rough 

 hair, under which is a soft down of bay colour. 



THE BOTTLE-NOSED SEAL. 



THE male of this species is extremely large, 

 sometimes measuring from fifteen to twenty feet 

 in length; he is also distinguished from the fe- 

 male by a large snout, projecting five or six 

 inches below the end of the upper jaw. The feet 

 are short, and the hinder ones so webbed as to 



