THE SEAL. 297 



escape, and that would be better accomplished if the 

 stones, instead of giving way, formed a fulcrum, from 

 which it could project itself forward. 



When a seal cannot escape, it will bite in self-defence, 

 but it does so only in extremities ; and if a blow be 

 aimed at it with a stick, it tries to seize the stick rather 

 than bite the assailant. In this it sometimes succeeds, 

 and then wriggles off to the water, where it swims 

 about with the stick in its mouth, in a playful or 

 triumphant manner. 



It is more easily tamed than, perhaps, any other 

 animal ; is capable of feeling a great deal of affection ; 

 and appears fond of the society of man. During the 

 time that rumoured invasions by the French caused all 

 parts of the coast of Britain to be fortified, a small 

 party on one of the little islands in the Firth of Forth, 

 above Edinburgh, amused themselves by taming a seal. 

 It had all the affection and all the playfulness of a dog. 

 It fished for itself, and (we believe) sometimes for its 

 masters. It fawned about them, licked their hands, 

 and, if it did not accompany those who made an excur- 

 sion in the boat, it was sure to meet them on their 

 return. It always came to their hut to sleep, and con- 

 ducted itself as if it felt that it was one of the party. 

 Sometimes it would snatch up a stick or a brush, and 

 scamper off to the water, where it swam about with the 

 plunder in its mouth, often approaching the shore till 

 within reach of its observers, and then it would be off 

 to a distance. But though it seemed to take delight in 

 teasing them in that way, it always ultimately came 

 back with whatever it had taken, and laid it at their 

 feet, fawning and fondling all the while. Indeed, if 



