164 THE COMMON SEAL. 



ing ; seldom longer than a minute ; they then raise 

 their heads, and if they see or hear nothing more 

 than ordinary, again lie down, and so on, raising 

 their heads a httle and inclining them alternately at 

 intervals of about a minute. Nature seems to have 

 given them this precaution, as being unprovided 

 with auricles or external ears ; and consequently not 

 hearing very quick, nor from any great distance *. 

 Seals, if taken young, are capable of being tamed; 

 they will follow their master like a Dog, and come 

 to him when called by the name that is given to 

 them. Some years ago a young Seal was thus do- 

 mesticated : — It was taken at a little distance from 

 the sea, and was generally kept in a vessel full of 

 salt water ; but sometimes was allowed to crawl 

 about the house, and even to approach the fire. Its 

 natural food was regularly procured for it ; and it 

 was taken to the sea every day, and thrown in from 

 a boat. It used to swim after the boat, and always 

 allowed itself to be taken back. It lived thus for 

 several weeks ; and probably would have lived much 

 longer, had it not been somxtimes too roughly used. 

 A Seal that was exhibited in London, in the year 

 J 75O5 answered to the call of his keeper, and attend- 

 ed to whatever he was commanded to do. He 

 would take food from the man's hand, crawl out of 

 the water, and, when ordered, stretch himself out 

 at full length on the ground. He would thrust out 

 his neck and appear to kiss the keeper, as often as 

 the man pleased ; and, when he was directed, would 



* Brit. Zool. i. 144. 



