SEALS. 



rfed with fpots or waved lines. This variety is the large of thofe 

 which inhabit the Swedijh feas. 



The fecond is xkvzHautJkdl. This, when juft dropped, is more white, 

 and never changes, unlefs to a tinge of pearl color, when it has ceafed 

 growing. It never attains the fize of the former, lives feparate from- 

 it, and is more timid. - 



" Thefe two varieties live on the high feas, and feed on herrings, 

 meduja, and blennies. During winter they retire under the ice, 

 through which they form holes by blowing on it, let the thicknefs 

 be ever fo great. In fummer they mount on the fand-banks tQ- 

 fleep. 



The Seal called the Wikare gris, and JVikare noir, are two varieties, 

 which fleep on Ihore. The two preceding fometimes fleep in the fea, 

 keeping their heads above water; they fleep fo found that the hunters, 

 can reach and harpoon them in that fituation. The Wikare feeds chiefly 

 on the gajlerojieus acukatus, Lin., three-fpined fl:ickleback, Br. ZooL. 

 III. No. 129. and becomes fo fat, that when killed it cannot frnk to.. 

 the bottom. The young of the Black Wikare are conftantly black j 

 thofe of the Grey Wikare always grey. 



Fifthly. The Mjrz^^^^ is always ftriped ('//^r^JI. This fpecies is -oF 

 late years fo diminiflied, that for ten years pail there has. not been feen 

 ©ne in all the Swedijh archipelago. 



If thefe five are varieties, they are certainly varieties which live al- 

 ways feparated,. and never mingle with one another. 



The chace of the Seals in the gulph of Bothnia, is as remarkable as 

 that of the Greenlanders. In the fpring, when the rivers o( Lapland' 

 force with their ftream, into the fea, vaft mafl'es of ice, the Grey Seals 

 and Hantjkdls retire upon, them.. The hunters never neglcfl the oppor- 

 tunity of taking them : they find out thefe floating mountains, which, 

 according to Mr. Hjarne, are twelve or fourteen fathoms in thicknefs 

 below water, and of a great extents The hunters lay in provifions for ■ 



fisc 



is 



