ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 23 



these offices so effectually. They have to use their 

 eyes deep in the water, when there is very little light, 

 or, indeed, none ; the water being sometimes frozen 

 over, aud a deep stratum of snow lying upon the ice." 

 Awkward as the seal is upon land, I cannot imagine 

 an animal whose motions in the water are attended 

 with more graceful ease. We are all aware of the 

 extreme velocity with which fish are able to cleave their 

 native element ; but an animal whose province is to 

 feed upon them in its turn, must necessarily be 

 provided with still more remarkable powers. These 

 the seal possesses to an amazing degree; and the 

 extraordinary agility with which it can alter its direc- 

 tion in an instant, and accommodate itself in every 

 possible motion and position, must be seen to be 

 believed. It is also interesting to observe the way in 

 which the seal opens and closes its nostrils in rapid 

 succession while in the act of taking breath. " The 

 natural state of the nostrils is to remain closed, and an 

 effort is required to open them when the seal reaches 

 the air." A continuous and amusing change of expres- 

 sion is induced upon the creature's countenance by this 

 act/ while the long bristling feelers, which must be 

 most useful in exploring the irregular surfaces of ice- 

 bergs under water, curl stiffly backwards a la militaire, 

 and impart an air of considerable sedateness to the 

 whole contour. 



But I am digressing. Pushing onwards to the 



