14 OENITHOLOG1CAL EAMBLES. 



been most constant frequenters of the numerous rocky 

 inlets of the North, before the encroaching progress of 

 civilisation had began to scare them from the haunts 

 of men. 



The following tradition has been prevalent for the 

 last two hundred years or more in all the districts 

 where these animals abound. There exists an indige- 

 nous feeling in the breasts of the fishermen that every 

 seal is the earthly embodiment of a condemned antedi- 

 luvian spirit, and that once in seven years it casts its 

 skin, and resuming, for the nonce, its original bodily 

 shape, fills and carries on its position and calling in 

 the scale of human society. Whoever, under these 

 circumstances, becomes the fortunate possessor of 

 the skin thus cast aside, maintains, for the time 

 being, the most complete control over the actions and 

 intentions of its original proprietor. Now, it so hap- 

 pened that a poor fisherman perceived, during one of 

 his coastal rambles, a number of youthful female 

 forms, of surpassing beauty and grace, disporting 

 themselves in the glassy wavelets of a placid and 

 sequestered bay. A short time afterwards he dis- 

 covered a seal-skin of unusual beauty, carefully rolled 

 up upon a ledge of rock in this same bay. Securing 

 the prize, he carried it away and concealed it ; but he 

 had no sooner entered his threshold than, seated in 

 silence, unclad and alone, he beheld an exquisitely 

 lovely woman, wringing her hands in distress, and 



