SEALS AND SEAL-HUNTING. 109 



with a pane of glass for its bottom. Placed on the 

 surface of the water, it obviates the disturbing effect 

 of the ripple. Looking through it with a great coat 

 or piece of cloth thrown over the head after the manner 

 of photographers, you can see down as far as sixty feet 

 if the water is pretty clear ; and even to a hundred 

 feet or thereby if it is very clear. The " clam " is an 

 enormous species of forceps, with jaws of from two to 

 three feet width when open. Two stout lines are 

 attached — one for lowering the clam with open jaws ; 

 the other for closing the blades over a dead seal that, 

 by the help of the waterglass, has been discovered lying 

 at the bottom, and hauling him to the surface. Many 

 a seal is secured in this way, which, but for these 

 simple appliances, would inevitably be lost. The long- 

 handled gaff is used for raising a seal that may have 

 sunk in very shallow water where the rod can reach 

 him, and sometimes is found very useful when he is 

 just beginning to sink, if you have shot him from your 

 boat. For a few seconds after being shot, he usually 

 floats. Instantly, you pull up to him, but find him 

 sinking slowly — only as yet, however, a foot or two 

 beneath the surface. You at once and easily gaff him, 

 and then he is safe enough. 



The largest haff-fish I ever shot I lost from not 

 having a seal-gaff in the boat. I was not seal-hunting, 

 but shooting sea-fowl along the lofty precipices on the 

 east side of Burrafirth, in the island of Unst. Sud- 

 denly a big haff-fish bobbed up close to the boat, but 

 instantly disappeared with a tremendous splash. Seals 



