ORDKR V. THE CARNIVORA. 



195 



from their numerous and powerful foes. AVe are informed by Denis tliat 

 seals, on landing, always jilacc a sentinel, and Scoresby says they are 

 extremely vigilant. " Where numbers of them are collected on the same 

 piece of ice, one, if not more, is always looking round, and even a solitary 

 seal is scarcely ever seen to allow a moment to pass without raising its head. 

 'Where seals rest on an extensive slicct of ice, they alwa\s secure their 

 retreat, either by lying near tlie edge, or by keeping a hole in the ice always 

 open before them. These precautions are necessary to prevent them becom- 

 ing a prey to the U. mariuHs, or Polar ISear. The old animals arc gen- 

 erally sly, so that when thousands are seen within the compass of a scpiare 

 furlong, on the approach of a boat the whole will perhaps make their 

 escape. The young ones are less guarded, and when met with at the proper 

 season may sometimes be killed by the dozen at a time, on a small tlakc 

 of ice." 



Although these animals never assault man, but rather seek his comjianion- 

 ship and friendship, yet they lind in him their most persistent and cruel 

 foe; and when attacked by him, many of the species exhibit a lieroism, and 

 courage, and skill in defence, of the most remarkable character. The illus- 

 trious Scotch novelist. Sir ^^'alter Sc(jtt, presents a case in point. "The 

 seal, finding her retreat intercepted by the light-footed soldier, confronted 

 him manfully, and having sustained a heavy blow without injury, she knitted 

 her brows, as is the fashion of the animal when incensed, and making use 

 at once of her fore paws, and her unwieldy strength, wrenched the weapon 

 out of the assailant's hand, overturned him on the sand, and scuttled away 

 into the sea, without doing him any further injury, carrying with her the 

 stick of her antagonist, as a trophy of her triumpli." IMany of the larger 

 species often have terrible encounters with the Polar Bear, and the Xorthern 

 Sea resounds with their bellowing, and is dyed with their blood ; the seals, 

 however, are, in general, victorious. 



It is a most wonderful fact, and one which may profitably engage the 

 attention of philosophers, that while this animal is removed so far from man 

 by physical configuration, it approaches him, in some of the higlier mental and 

 moral qualities, more nearly than any other species. "When man is enfeebled 

 by age, and feels his grasj) on life becoming looser every day, the events of 

 his childhood and early youth crowd his memory, and his heart yearns to 

 behold again the place of his birth. So with the seals ; when they feel 

 their end drawing near, they proceed inland, guided by an extraordinary 

 intelligence, till they come to the very place — s<jme sequestered spot among 

 the rocks — where they drew their first breath, and enjoyed the maternal 

 caress ; and there they take their leave of life, stretch themselves on the 

 earth, and patiently await the approach of death. What philosophy can 



