296 THE SEAL. 



those of land quadrupeds ; but the pelvis narrows off like 

 the hinder part of a fish, and the hind legs are nearly 

 united to the body, lie backwards on each side of the 

 tail, and the webbed feet in which they terminate, form 

 with that a very efficient swimming apparatus. The 

 body is covered with fur, which is short and glossy ; 

 most frequently of a dark brown colour, but often 

 varied or spotted, and generally supposed to whiten as 

 the animal gets old. 



Though a considerable destroyer of salmon and other 

 fish, the seal is a lively and playful animal, very gentle 

 in its manners, but at the same time very watchful and 

 timid. Seals are found in great numbers upon the 

 banks in the estuaries of rivers ; but they are not so 

 much to be considered permanent inhabitants there 

 as visiters, following the fish in their migration. They 

 are fond of basking in the sun ; and they always sleep 

 upon the rocks or the bank, where at low water they 

 may be seen in hundreds together. But they are never 

 all asleep at the same time ; for if one approaches them 

 ever so eautiously, there is always a sentinel at the 

 outside, or on the highest part of the bank, that gives 

 the alarm, and the whole wriggle off to the water 

 much faster than one would imagine. When a part 

 of their march is over a beach of loose pebbles, they 

 get on with a good deal of difficulty, as the loose 

 stones give way to their paws, and instead of helping 

 forward the seal, are flung behind it with some force, 

 and to some distance. This has given rise to the 

 vulgar opinion, that the seal voluntarily throws stones 

 at its pursuers, an opinion for which there is not the 

 slightest foundation. The object of the animal is to 



