56 MARINE AND AQUATIC TRESPASSERS. 



modified, so as to allow the Seal a perfect freedom of 

 action in the water and a tolerable power of locomo- 

 tion on land, is very beautiful. 



The fore limbs are much more developed than 

 those of the whale, and project so far from the body 

 that they can serve the double purpose of fins and 

 feet. With their aid the animal can scramble along 

 upon land, or even ice, and there are some species 

 which are fond of climbing rocks, and will ascend to a 

 considerable height. 



How such apparently clumsy limbs can be used 

 with such effect seems almost incredible. Yet I have 

 often seen the sea-bear climb a high pair of wooden 

 steps, sit comfortably on the top, and then descend 

 with perfect ease. It also clambered on a common 

 Windsor chair, stood on the back, supported by its 

 master's hand, and went through a variety of per- 

 formances by his orders. 



To see the creature mount the chair was really a 

 remarkable sight. First, it raised itself up on its 

 hinder feet, with its fore feet resting on the chair, one 

 on the seat and the other on the back. It then con- 

 trived to jerk one of the hind feet on the seat of the 

 chair, and slowly pulled itself up. When it wished to 

 climb on the back of the chair, it took advantage of 

 its master's hand, until it could get both feet on the 

 back, when it placed its fore paws on his shoulders, 

 and looked out for the little piece of raw fish with 

 which it was always rewarded when it had accom- 

 plished a task properly. As to the steps, the Seal 

 scrambled up and down them with perfect ease and 

 considerable speed. 



