lS6 *rHE COMMON SEAL. 



Stationed, begin by making a great noise, which 

 alarms tlie animals, and brings them down from all 

 parts in a confused hurry, uttering frightful sJirieks 

 and cries. In this hazardous employment muc!i 

 care is necessary on the part of the hunters, to avoid 

 the throng, which presses down upon them with 

 great impetuosity, and bears away every thing- that 

 opposes its progress ; but when the first crowd has 

 passed, they kill great numbers of young ones, 

 wdiich generally straggle behind, by striking them 

 on the nose, where a very slight blow soon destroys 

 tiiem *. 



To tlie inhabitants of Greenland the different 

 species of Seals are indispensably necessary towards 

 their existence. The sea is to them, what corn- 

 fields arc to us ; and the Seal-fishery is their most 

 copious harvest. The flesh supplies them with 

 their principal, most palatable, and substantial food. 

 The fat furnishes them with oil for their lamps and 

 fires : they use it also with their food ; and barter it 

 for otiier necessaries with the fiictor. Thev find 

 the fibres of tlie sinews better for sewing with than 

 thread or silk. Of the skins of the entrails they 

 •make their windows, curtains for their tents, and 

 shirts ; and part of the bladders they use in fishing, 

 as l)uoys or fioats to their harpoons. Of the bones 

 they forn^erly made all those instruments and work- 

 ing tools that are now supplied to them by the in- 

 troduction of iron. Even the blood is not lost; forthey 

 boil that, with other ingredients, as soup. Of the 



" reu:i. Brit. Zool. i. M2. ana rontoppiclai\, ii. I'lO. 



