CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 39 



rus,) attains the size of an ox, being from twelve to 

 fifteen feet in length, and from eight to ten feet in cir- 

 cumference. It weighs from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds, and 

 produces from one to two barrels of oil. Its body is 

 cylindrical, covered all over with short reddish-gray hair, 

 its tail very short ; its elephant-like tusks, which are the 

 prolongated canine teeth, are from ten to twenty inches, 

 weighing from five to ten pounds, and esteemed as 

 the best of ivory. It resides on the floating ice about 

 the North Pole, and feeds on sea-weed and shellfish, 

 which it detaches with its long tusks. The skin, which 

 is about an inch thick, is used by the Esquimaux for the 

 covering of their tents. They feed upon its flesh with 

 eagerness and gluttony. The ivory tusks and the oil of 

 this animal are articles of commerce. 



§ 129. The Manati (Trichechus Manatus) is found in 

 the rivers and on the coasts of the warmer parts of the 

 world, and abounds on the Orinoco, in South x\merica. 



\ 130. The Common Seal, or Sea-calf, or Sea-dog, 

 (Phoca Vitulina,) has five palmated toes on each foot, its 

 color is yellowish gray, spotted with brown and blackish, 

 its length from five to six feet, and is found in all the 

 northern seas of the world. 



§ 131. The Seal is a creature of great importance to 

 the Kamtschatkadales, Greenlanders, and the Esquimaux 

 of Labrador ; for they live on its flesh, clothe themselves 

 with their skins, build their huts, and make their canoes 

 of them. Its chase forms their principal business, and 

 their success in it is at once their fortune and glory. 

 The Seal is susceptible of a remarkable degree of educa- 

 tion. Though fierce, it is easily tamed and harmless, 

 becomes much attached to its owner, and learns to per- 

 form several tricks. The oil and skins of seals are 

 articles of commerce. One ship has been known to ob- 

 tain a cargo of five thousand skins, and upwards of a 

 hundred tons of oil. 



§132. The Ursine Seal (Phoca ursina) is eight feel 

 long, of a black color, weighs about eight hundred pounds, 

 and is found on the western shores of North America 

 and Kamschatka. 



