60 MARINE AND AQUATIC TRESPASSERS. 



having the least intention of releasing us for some time. 

 Nor was his anger appeased when we declined to give 

 any explanation as to the mode of our escape. 



I mention this incident in order to illustrate the 

 propulsive power of a Seal's hind feet. For, even 

 under such disadvantageous circumstances, the rudder 

 being very small in proportion to the barge, and having 

 to be worked very slowly and cautiously for fear of 

 breaking the fishing-rod which acted as a tiller, we 

 traversed a course of several miles, and guided the un- 

 wieldy vessel just as we liked. 



Now, the paddles, or hind feet of the Seal are very 

 large in proportion to the size of the animal, and are 

 swept backwards and forwards with the whole force of 

 the powerful and flexible body. A single slow and 

 gentle sweep of the paddles drives the animal for a 

 wonderful distance through the water, while a power- 

 ful stroke gives sufficient impetus to send the Seal 

 fairly out of the water. The fore paws are principally 

 used for preserving the balance and inclining the body 

 from side to side. One of the Seals in the Zoological 

 Gardens used habitually to swim on its back, like the 

 well-known water-boatman of our ponds. 



As the Seals spend so much of their time in the 

 water, it is evident that, like the whale tribe, they 

 should have a sort of blanket in order to preserve the 

 heat of the body. This object is attained by two 

 methods. 



In the first place, there is a layer of fat beneath the 

 skin, somewhat like that of the whales, but separate 

 from the skin and not entangled in it. In the next 

 place, there is a covering of hair outside the skin : 



