CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 6. PINNIPEDIA. 325 



a man's share besides. A hired master has no share, but usually receives 4d. or 6d. per seal on 

 the whole cargo. A few of the earliest discharged go out on a second trip, but this is rarely very 

 productive, as, by the middle of May, all must be home to prepare for the cod-fishery." 



The seal appears, from many authorities, to possess much intelligence, combined with docility, 

 gentleness, and affection. F. Cuvier gives some touching details of the manners of a Marbled 

 Seal — P. discolor — which was living in the menagerie of the Garden of Plants. He says : 

 " Except in some monkeys, I have never known any wild animal which was more easilv tamed, 

 or attached itself more strongly. When it first came to us, it endeavored to escape when I 

 wished to touch it ; but in a very few days all its apprehensions vanished ; it had discovered 

 my intentions, and rather desired my caresses than feared them. It was in the same inclosure 

 with two small dogs, which amused themselves by frequently mounting on its back, often bark- 

 ing, and even biting it ; and, although these sports, and the vivacity of the attending move- 

 ments, were little in harmony with its own actions and habits, yet it appreciated their motive, 

 and seemed pleased with them. It never offered any other retaliation than slight blows with its 

 paws, the object of which was to encourage rather than repress the liberties taken. If the 

 puppies escaped from the inclosure, the seal endeavored to follow them. "When the weather 

 was cold, the three animals huddled closely and kindly together. It manifested no fear of man, 

 nor attempted to avoid him, except to escape the being accidentally trodden upon. It would 

 also suffer, without anger or resistance, the food which it was devouring to be forcibly taken 

 away, even when hungry ; and that not only by man, but also by his canine playfellows. On 

 the other hand, when their mess was supplied to the seals — for he had a companion — as they 

 lay in the same trough, a battle was the usual result, and blows with their paws followed, and, 

 as usually happens, the more feeble and timid left the field to the stronger." 



It is well known that the seal may be tamed, and in this state shows a remarkable degree of 

 sagacity. It may be taught to perform various tricks, and also to go into the sea and catch fish 

 for its proprietor. The following tale of a domesticated seal, mixed up with certain Irish super- 

 stitions, possesses a thrilling interest : 



" About forty years ago, a young seal was taken in Clew Bay, and domesticated in the house of 

 a man whose house was situated on the sea-shore. It grew apace, became familiar with the 

 servants, and attached to the house and family ; its habits were innocent and gentle ; it played 

 with the children, came at its master's call, and, as the old man described it, was fond as a dog, 

 and playful as a kitten. Daily, the seal went out to fish, and, after providing for his own wants, 

 frequently brought in a salmon or a turbot for his master. His delight in the summer was to 

 bask in the sun, and in the winter to lie before the fire ; or, if permitted, to creep into the large 

 oven, which, at that time, formed the regular appendage of an Irish kitchen. 



" For four years the seal had been thus domesticated, when, unfortunately, a disease, called, in 

 the country the crippawn — a kind of paralytic affection of the limbs, which generally ends 

 fatally — attacked some black cattle belonging to the master of the house. Some died ; others 

 became infected, and the customary cure, produced by changing them to clover pasture, failed. 

 A "Wise Woman" was consulted, and the hag assured the credulous owner that the mortality 

 among his cows was occasioned by having an unclean beast about his habitation — the harmless 

 and amusing seal. It must be made away with directly, or the crippawn would continue, and 

 her charms would* be unable to arrest the malady. The superstitious wretch consented to the 

 hag's proposal ; the seal was put on board a boat, carried out beyond Clare Island, and there com- 

 mitted to the deep to manage for himself as he best could. 



" The boat returned ; the family retired to rest, and the next morning, the servant awakened 

 her master to tell him that the seal was quietly sleeping in the oven. The poor animal came 

 back over night to his beloved home, crept through an open window, and took possession of his 

 ( favorite resting-place. The next morning, another cow was reported to be unwell. The seal 

 must now be finally removed. A Galway fishing-boat was leaving port on her return home, 

 and the master undertook to carry off the seal, and not put him overboard until he had gone 

 some leagues bevond Innis Boffin. 

 , "It was done— j, day and night passed; the second evening closed; the servant was raking the 



