Sucklers. 8873 
tinuously during many days of great exertions. In most instances we are left to 
conjecture for much of our information on this subject. It is true some of the bird 
tribe are seen preparing for their journey. Swallows congregate in great numbers, and 
suddenly disappear, but precisely how or when they go is but vaguely ascertained. 
We learn the arrival of our winter visitors chiefly by their presence, and therefore 
infer that the passage has been performed during the night. That animal, however, 
regarding whose proceedings I am about to say a few words,—the seal,—affords ample 
opportunities for watching bis whole career. Requiring, as he does, the aid of all the 
elements, save fire, fur the coinfort and the continuatiun of his existence, his motions 
are not easily hidden. Heavy and awkward as his appearance is when at rest on the 
land, in the water his actions emphatically refute this charge; activity and perseverance 
mark all his motions, to which qualities we may justly add cunning and sagacity of 
no ordinary character. Independently of his constant motion in pursuit of his prey, 
the migrations of the seal are most extensive. During the summer and autumn 
numbers of these creatures are met with, scattered in small parties, in all parts of the 
Northern Ocean visited by the whalers and other fishermen, where they remain until 
the severity of the arctic winter warns them to retreat southward. Mariners who have 
been beset amongst the ice, or for other reasons have passed the winter in those hyper- 
borean seas, remark that few seals are met with during the winter, and some of them 
chronicle the time at which they first appeared on their return. Our information with 
regard to their general motions is not limited to these somewhat vague records. The 
habits of the genus (for it consists of many species) are so visible that we must conclude 
the scattered seals met with during the dark winter of the Pole are only stragglers left 
behind when the main body moved southward. As the severity of the weather increases 
it is evident that, like the swallows, an instinctive movement must commence, com- 
municated to and understood by the whole family, like a masonic sign, prompting a 
general assembly of the clans at some long-frequented, well-known spot of their wide 
domain, where, it is to be supposed, they enjoy their sport until the gathering is com- 
pleted. At length the frost commences, and the army is set in motion. This proceeding 
is keenly looked forward to and watched by the inhabitants of the coast, whose interest 
is much involved in their passing visit, and who fail not to levy tribute in kind. A 
fisherman, posted as sentinel on some headland commanding an extensive sea-view, 
communicates to the hamlet the first indication of the approaching host, the vanguard of 
which invariably consists of small detachments of from half a dozen to a score of seals; 
such parties continue to pass at intervals, gradually increasing in frequency and num- 
bers during the first two or three days of the exodus, by the end of which time they are 
seen in companies of one or more hundreds. The main body is now at hand, and 
during the greater part of the next two days one continuous, uncountable crowd is 
constantly in sight. The whole procession coasts along at no great distance from the 
shore, presenting to an eye-witness a most extraordinary scene. In all quarters, as far 
as the eye can carry, nothing is visible but seals—the sea seems paved with their heads. 
Some idea may be formed of the vast multitude when we consider the time occupied 
in passing, and the rate at which the animals are hurried along by the ceaseless, rapid 
stream which forms the highway of their long though expeditious voyage. The rear 
is brought up by small parties, such as formed the leading detachments., In one short 
week the whole hust passes, consisting of many hundreds of thousands. The current 
of which these sagacious voyagers take advantage is the well-known polar current which 
proved so inimical to the success of our North-West Passage discoverers, and which 
VOL. XXII. Cc 
