THE BOTTLE-NOSED SEAL. 253 



Seals easily taken. 



one day on the island of Juan Fernandez, what 

 they at first supposed to have been animals of a 

 kind different from any they had previously seen; 

 but, on a nearer approach, they proved to be two 

 of these seals, which had been goring each other 

 with their teeth till both were completely covered 

 with blood. 



It is not difficult to kill them ; for their propen- 

 sity to sleep, and their sluggish and unwieldy 

 motions generally render them an easy prey to 

 their enemies. Sometimes, however, they make 

 a vigorous resistance; and it is said, that as 

 a sailor was one day employed in skinning 

 one of the young; the female from whom he 

 had taken it, came upon him unperceived, and 

 getting his head into her mouth, lacerated his 

 skull so dreadfully, that he died in a few days 

 afterwards. 



According to Lord Anson's account, the flesh 

 of these quadrupeds is somewhat like beef; and 

 the hearts and tongues are excellent eating. 



These animals are principally found in the seas 

 about New Zealand, on the island of Juan Fer- 

 nandez, and the Falkland islands. The females 

 produce two young ones in the winter, which 

 they suckle for some time. These, when first 

 brought forth, are about the size of a full-grown 

 common seal. 



