[ 181 ] 



THE SEALS*, 



JL HE Seals seem to bear a considerable alliance to 

 the Manati ; most of them having the same kind of 

 elongated body, and fin-like feet. They also inha- 

 bit the waters, where they swim with great ease. 

 In summer they live much on the shores, but in 

 winter they confine themselves almost entirely to the 

 sea. They are a dirty, and an inquisitive race of ani- 

 mals ; and though courageous and quarrelsome a- 

 mong themselves, are capable of being rendered 

 tame. They are polygamous, one male having 

 many females. Their flesh is said to be juicy and 

 delicate eating ; and their fat and hides are of use 

 both in an economical and commercial view. They 

 walk very awkwardly ; from the fore paws being 

 set considerably backwards, and the hind ones being 

 united. Their food consists of fish and other marine 

 productions ■f*. 



*'The Linneajn order Fer,^ commences with this tribe. The ani- 

 mals conyposing it, have generally six front-teeth, of a somewhat co- 

 nical shape, both in the upper and under jaw. Next to these are 

 strong and sharp caniiie-teeth ; and the grinders are formed into co- 

 nical or pointed processes. Their feet are divided into toes, which 

 are armed with sharp hooked claws. This is a predacious order, the 

 animals being all carniverous. — It consists of the Seal, Dog, Cat, 

 Weesel, Otter, Bear, Opossum, Kaugyroo, Mole, Shrew, and Hcdge- 

 fcog, tribes. ' 



> Linn. Gmcl. i. 02. 



