MAMMALIA — SEA BEAR. 



209 



nels are very careful to awake them when any danger is near. Their 

 voices are very shrill, and of various tones ; sometimes grunting like hogs, 

 and sometimes neighing like horses. The males often fight with each 

 other, when they wound one another desperately with their teeth. The 

 flesh of these animals is not disagreeable to eat, particularly the tongue, 

 which is as good as that of the ox. They are very easily killed, as they 

 cannot defend themselves, nor fly from their enemies ; they are so exceed- 

 ingly heavy, that they move with great difficulty, and turn themselves about 

 with still greater. Those that hunt them have only to guard against their 

 teeth, which are very strong, and which they make use of with powerful 

 efl'ect on those who approach within their reach. 



THE HOODED SEAL.i 



The hooded seal is most commonly found on the shores of Greenland, of 

 Davis' Straits, and occasionally of Newfoundland. It is distinguished by 

 the singular appendage it has on its head, formed by an extension of the 

 skin of the front which communicates with the nostrils, and can be inflated, 

 or elevated and depressed, at the pleasure of the animal. It is covered with 

 short black hairs. The use of this hood has not been ascertained. — Godman. 



THE URSINE SEAL, OR SEA BEAR 





The males of this species are, in general, about eight feet long, but the 

 females are much smaller. Their bodies are very thick, and the color of 

 the hair is commonly black, but that of the old ones is tipped Avith gray. 

 The females are of an ash colored hue. The nose projects like that of a 

 pug dog, and the eyes are large and prominent. Their voice varies on dif- 

 ferent occasions ; thus, vhen sporting on their native rocks, they low like 

 a cow ; when engaged in battle, they growl hideously; after a defeat or re- 

 ceiving a wound, they mew like a cat; and the note of triumph after a 



' Phoca cristafa, Gm. 



27 



'^ Phoca ursina, Lin. 



