THE COMMON SEAL -THE RINGED SEAL. 233 



Sea and the Mediterranean, and seaboard facing the Atlantic from Spain to Spitzbergen, from Florida 

 along the American coast to Greenland, also near Iceland arid Jan Mayen. It likewise abounds on 

 the Scandinavian coasts, and in the Baltic, the British islands being favoured with many visitors. 

 Being a shy, timid, though inquisitive animal, it now frequents the wild, lonely shores of Scotland 

 and Ireland ; but in former times even the Isle of Wight and the Cornish coast were famous for the 

 number of their Seals. Still they sometimes visit river-mouths. For example, in 1877, between 

 seventy and eighty large and small Seals, and of different colours, were seen sunning themselves on the 

 sands at low tide at Abertay. Some of these must have gone up the river towards, or even beyond, 

 Dundee, for at "West Ferry a desperate and protracted fight between a Seal and a huge Salmon was 

 witnessed, not far from the shore, by several parties. The encounter lasted for more than an hour, the 

 Seal dashing wildly about after its equally agile prey. The Salmon was occasionally tossed into the 

 aii-, after the fashion of a Cat with a Mouse. Spite of the exertions of the noble fish, it could not 

 escape its pursuer, and at length becoming fairly exhausted, succumbed. The victor frequently rose 

 to the surface with its quivering prey in its mouth ere finally feasting on crimped Salmon. 



The Common Seal is of a yellowish-grey colour, spotted above with black and brown, so as to 

 give a mottled appearance, while below it is of a whitish or silvery grey. Ordinarily the hairs are 

 shining and stiff, the colour being dependent somewhat on their being moist or dry ; when the 

 former, dark grey predominates. In length it varies from three to six feet, the head being about a 

 tenth part. The roundish head has a short muzzle, prominent whiskers, and large expressive eyes. 

 The skull is distinguished by peculiarities in the shape of the palate and cheek-bones, and by the 

 oblique position of the molar teeth. 



Although as valuable as certain other forms hunted by the sealers, its numbers in the Polar 

 regions are comparatively smaller, so that it is not separately pursued by them, though the Green- 

 landers have a high appreciation of its worth. Dr. R. Brown says the flesh is looked upon as the 

 most palatable of all " Seal-beef," and he further remarks, " that no more acceptable present can be 

 given to a Greenland damsel than a skin of the Kassigiak." Dr. Rink estimates their annual catch in 

 Danish Greenland between 1,000 and 2,000, and he says that the skin is highly valued for making 

 clothes. It is found all the year round on these coasts, though it more frequently dwells near the 

 river-mouths, and hence has been called the Fresh-water Seal. It bears a variety of names, both local 

 and in different countries, and also according to age. In Greenland the young are produced in June. 

 The cub is at first pure white, a few days later becoming darker, and changing as age proceeds. 

 Though very quiet in disposition it can take its own part when attacked, as the reader of Scott's 

 "Antiquary" (Chapter xxx.) may remember, where Captain Mclntyre's adventure with the PJioca 

 is narrated with Sir Walter's usual graphic power. The same author's lines 



" Rude Heiskar's Seals through surges dark 

 Will long pursue the Minstrel's bark," 



are in reality no poet's licence, inasmuch as many instances are recorded of music a flute, or even 

 whistling, for example bringing them to the surface. Their docility and intelligence are noted from 

 the times of Pliny, and Professor Trail relates how one became a regular sociable kitchen pet. Of 

 another, kept for six months in Shetland, the domesticity was quite marked. Called from a distance, 

 even when in the sea, it would answer plaintively, swim ashore, and make its ungainly way over stones 

 and grass to its lodge. This "Sealchie" amusing herself in the sea one day, a sudden snowstorm came 

 on, during which some wild Seals approached and coaxed her off. A great number of interesting 

 stories are related of the Common Seal, which Phoque lore, however, I need not stay to consider. 



THE RINGED SEAL.* This animal has considerable likeness to the last, excepting the fact that it 

 is a very much smaller animal, seldom reaching more than three or four feet in length. It is blackish- 

 grey above, the spotting being marked with oval whitish rings. Below, it is paler in colour, and 

 its hair is softer and usually rougher than the Common Seal's. Besides these external features, 

 the formation of the cheek and palate bones, and the straight line of the molar, distinguish it from 

 Ph. vitulina. In addition to the above name, it is also called Fretid and Fjord Seal. It is the 



* Phoca feetida, or Phoca hispida ; the genus Pagomys of Gray. 

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