Or.DEU V. THE CAKXIVOKA. 193 



the matter. The eluireh of ILiy is situated near a small sanily bay, much 

 frequented by these creatures ; and I observed, when the bell nnvj; I'or service, 

 all the seals witliiu hearing swam directly for the shore, and ke[>t looking 

 about them in wonder and surprise as long as the bell rang."' 



AVe are not surprised, therefore, that a creature possessing the character 

 above described should be capable of attachment and domestication. We 

 have often witnessed examples of this kind, although all the species are not 

 equally susceptible in this respect. Several of the species, if taken young, 

 — remarks an intelligent author, — are easily domesticated, when they assume 

 the haliits of a dog, showing attachment to their masters, and delight to 

 warm themselves at the fireside. 



]Mons. F. Cuvier — " Mn/nni/'pres, Linyn's, Mai, 1824"' — remarks, "I 

 have lately had occasion to witness a seal wbicli displayed much intellei'tual 

 power. lie did promptly what he was ordered. If desired to raise him- 

 self on his hind legs, take a staif in his hand, and act the sentinel, he did 

 so; he likewise, at his keeper's bidding, would lie down on his right side, or 

 on his left, and tumble head over heels. lie would give you cither of his 

 paws when desired, and extend his sweet lips to favor you with a kiss. He 

 complied immediately with the wishes of his master, to whom he appeared 

 to be peculiarly attached." 



We, indeed, have, on several occasions, witnesseil similar exhiliitions. A 

 few years since, some domesticated seals were exhibited in Boston, which 

 performed a great numl)er t)f amusing tricks : they would salute the s[)ecta- 

 tor with a bow, and stand upright and play the hand-organ. 



The following account we find in "Anecdotes of the ^Vninial Kingdom : "' 



"Some years ago a seal was so completely domcsticatetl, that it remained 

 with a gentleman, whose residence was but a short distance from the sea, 

 without attempting to escape. It knew all the inmates of the family, and 

 would come to its master when he called it liy its name. It was usually 

 kept in the stable, but was sometimes permitted to enter the kitchen, where 

 it seemed to take great delight in reposing before the fire. It was taken to 

 the sea every day, and allowed to fish for itself, in which it was very dex- 

 terous ; but when unsuccessful, fish was bought for it. A\'hen tired of swim- 

 ming, it came up to the boat, holding up its head to be taken in." 



"A farmer in Fifeshire, Scotland, while looking for crabs and lobsters 

 among the rocks, caught a young seal about two feet and a half long, and 

 carried it home. He fed it with pottage and milk, which it ate with avidity. 

 He kept it for three days, feeding it on this meal, when, his wife being tired 

 of it, he took it away, and restored it to its native element. He was accom- 

 panied by some of his neiuhbors. On reaching the shore, it was thrown 

 into the sea; but, instead of nialdng its escape, as one would have expected, 

 NO. V. 25 



