i 7 2 DELIBERATE DESTRUCTION OF ANIMAL LIFE 



Monastery of Dunfermline, that on the east coast Seals 

 were objects of trade even in the twelfth century. Both 

 the Common Seal (Phoca vitulina) and the Grey Seal 

 (Halichcerus grypus) were objects of pursuit, but as a rule 

 fisheries on the east coast were concerned with the former, 

 and on the west coast and amongst the islands most often 

 with the latter. At a later date, in the neighbourhood of 

 North Uist, the slaughter was reckoned sometimes at 320 

 individuals a year. Here as elsewhere, the flesh of the Seal 

 as well as its oil was used, the former being preserved for 

 winter food. Martin tells how the men of "Heiskir" caught 

 the Seals in a narrow channel between that and a neighbour- 

 ing island, by means of a net of horse hair ropes, "contracted 

 at one end like a Purse," and gives a detailed account of a 

 seal-hunt in the Outer Islands, as he observed it about the 

 opening of the eighteenth century. 



On the western coast of this Island [of Heiskir] lyes the Rock Cousmil, 

 about a quarter of a mile in circumference, and it is still famous for the 

 yearly fishing of seals there in the end of October. . . .These Farmers [probably 

 the men of N. Uist] man their Boat with a competent number for the 

 business, and they always imbarque with a contrary wind, for their security 

 against being driven away by the Ocean, and likewise to prevent them from 

 being discovered by the Seals, who are apt to smell the scent of them, and 

 presently run to sea. 



When this Crew is quietly landed, they surround the passes, and then 

 the signal for the general attack is given from the Boat, and so they beat 

 them down with big staves. The Seals at this On-set make towards the 

 Sea, with all speed, and often force their passage over the necks of the 

 Stoutest assailants who aim always at the Forehead of the Seals, giving 

 many blows before they be killed, and if they be not hit exactly, on the 

 Front, they contract a Lump on the forehead, which makes them look very 

 fierce, and if they get hold of the staff with their Teeth, they carry it along 

 to sea with them. Those that are in the Boat shoot at them as they 

 run to Sea, but few are catched that way. The Natives -told me that 

 several of the biggest seals lose their Lives by endeavouring to save their 

 young ones, whom they tumble before them towards the Sea. I was told 

 also that 320 Seals, Young and Old, have been killed at one time in this 

 Place.... The Natives Salt the Seals with the ashes of burnt Sea Ware and 

 say they are good Food, the vulgar eat them commonly in the Spring time 

 with a long pointed Stick instead of a Fork to prevent the strong smell 

 which their hands would otherwise have for several Hours after. The 

 Flesh and Broth of fresh Young Seals, is by experience known to be 

 Pectoral, the Meat is Astringent and used as an effectual remedy against 

 the Diarrhoea and Dysenteria; the Liver of a Seal being dry'd and 

 pulverized and afterwards a little of it drunk with Milk, Aquavita, or Red 

 Wine is also good against Fluxes. 



