The Seal Tribe. 129 



placed, and is there nurtured in safety by its parent 

 until it is able to shift for itself. 



Upon our northern shores, the Common Seal 

 (Phoca vitnlind] may mostly be seen, and on many 

 parts of the Scottish coast is found in considerable 

 abundance. 



Seal-shooting is on these shores a sport which is 

 quite as exciting as deer-stalking, and needs as much 

 of the huntsman's craft. The seal is not only one of 

 the most wary of animals, but it never shows more than 

 its head above the surface of the water, and therefore 

 affords a much smaller mark than a stag. Moreover, 

 even when the sportsman has succeeded in hitting a 

 seal, it often sinks as soon as hit, and he loses it. 



Such a misfortune as a seal lost from sinking never 

 occurs to the old hunter, and is a sure proof of inex- 

 perience. When a seal comes to the surface after a 

 long dive it remains quiet for a time. A young hunter 

 cannot resist so good a mark, sends a bullet through 

 the animal's brain, and when he reaches the spot finds 

 that it has sunk beyond his reach. 



The reason is simple enough. 



Like the whale tribes, the seals are enabled to 

 remain for a considerable time under water in conse- 

 quence of the power of aerating more blood than is 

 required at the time. 



Before diving the seal takes a number of long 

 breaths, in order to aerate the blood fully, and just as 

 it dives fills the lungs with a powerful inspiration. 

 As it traverses its course below the water it allows the 

 air to escape gradually, and its course can be easily 

 traced by watching for the bubbles as they ascend to 

 the surface. 



Consequently, when the seal rises its lungs are 

 empty, and if it be shot before it has had time to fill 



them it is sure to sink. 



i 



