456 VALUE OF THE SEAL. 



among the Roman legions. The Scandinavian mariners 

 made excellent cables of seal-skin for mooring their 

 galleys, or fastening them, in combat, to those of their 

 antagonists ; and the Finns and Lapps paid their annual 

 tribute in these ingenious substitutes for ropes. And it 

 is probable, also, that they employed them, as do the 

 Greenlanders at the present day, in covering the frame- 

 work of their ships. 



In the fourteenth century the seal-fishery had attained 

 to a position of considerable commercial importance. 

 Not only was the animal hunted for the sake of its skin 

 and oil, but also for its flesh, which in England and 

 Scandinavia figured as a dainty on the tables of the 

 wealthy. And here we may remark that modern 

 voyagers, who have had occasion to live upon it, speak 

 of it as not unsavoury, and as tasting much like veal. 

 Dr. Kane writes that he and his men in course of time 

 grew very fond of it. At first they disliked " the fishi- 

 ness," but to this they became accustomed, and of its 

 iiutritiousness there can be no doubt. Captain Hall 

 gives a very minute account of a seal-banquet, particular- 

 izing the different dishes with epicurean gusto : 



The head was first served up ; and when the meat, 

 skin, and hair were all despatched, even the eyes, ex- 

 cept the balls, which, according to an limit custom, 

 were given to the youngest child, Captain Hall and his 

 Eskimo entertainers " tapped " the brain. He was sur- 

 prised at the amount of a seal's brains, and equally so at 

 the cleliciousness of them ! The skull, he noticed, was 

 almost as thin as paper. 



Afterwards came a portion of seal's liver. This, with 

 a slice of ooksook (blubber), was handed to each person. 



