232 CURIOUS CREATURES. 



the veracious history, of the Sea-cow : " The Sea Cow 

 is a huge Monster, strong, angry, and injurious; she 

 brings forth a young one like to herself; yet not above 

 two, but one often, which she loves very much, and 

 leads it about carefully with her, whithersoever she 

 swims to Sea, or goes on Land. Lastly this Creature 

 is known to have lived 130 years, by cutting off her 

 tail." 



Olaus Magnus calls the Seal, the Sea-calf; and with 

 trifling exceptions, gives a fair account of its habits, 

 only there are some points which differ from the modern 

 Seal, at all events: "The Sea-Calf, which also in 



Latine is called Hel- 

 ens, hath its name 

 from the likeness of 

 a Land-Calf, and it" 

 hath a hard fleshy 

 body ; and therefore 

 it is hard to be 

 killed, but by break- 

 ing the Temples of 

 the head. It hath a voice like a Bull, four feet, but 

 not his ears ; because the manner and mansion of its 

 life is in the Waters. Had it such ears, they would 

 take in much Water, and hinder the swimming of it. 

 . . . They will low in their sleep, thence they are 

 called Calves. They will learn, and with their voyce 

 and countenance salute the company, with a confused 

 murmuring ; called by their names, they will answer, 

 and no Creature sleeps more profoundly. The Fins 

 that serve them for to swim in the Sea, serve for legs 

 on Land, and they go hobling up and down as lame 

 people do. Their Skins, though taken from their bodies, 



