512 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



their young. If another approach their station, 

 they are roused from their supineness: a battle 

 ensues, which frequently becomes general, and 

 spreads confusion through the whole shore. These 

 conflicts are extremely violent; and the wounds 

 given are very deep, resembling a cut with a sabre. 



The attachment of the male to the young is very 

 strong: he defends them with great obstinacy, and 

 frequently revenges their loss upon the female, 

 whom he beats most cruelly; whilst she crawls to 

 his feet, and seems to deprecate his wrath with the 

 most obsequious gestures. 



The female generally brings forth one, seldom 

 two, at a time. 



They swim with great ease, at the rate of about 

 seven miles in an hour. When wounded, they w r ill 

 seize on a boat, draw it along with them, and some- 

 times sink it. They can continue a long time 

 under water. In climbing rocks, they fasten their 

 fore paws, and draw themselves up. 



These and all the Seal kind, will live a long time 

 after receiving the most dreadful wounds; but the 

 most trifling blow on the snout or forehead in- 

 stantly kills them. 



The general colour of these animals is black. 

 They are covered with a coat of long rough hair, 

 under which is a soft down of a bay colour. On 

 the neck of the old ones, the hair is erect, and a 

 little longer than the rest. 



The fat and flesh of the old males are very 

 nauseous ; but those of the females and the young, 

 when roasted, are said to be as good as the flesh of 

 a sucking Pig.. 



