ORDER CARNASSIER. 503 



We have already observed the imperfect manner in which 

 mastication is performed by the Seals, and how they swal- 

 low bodies without chewing them. Nature has not only 

 provided them with the means of distending excessively all 

 the parts through which the aliments must pass, but has 

 also supplied them in abundance with a viscous saliva, 

 which fills the mouth to such a degree, that during deglu- 

 tition it escapes in long threads, and this phenomenon is 

 also observed to take place, even when the Phoca only per- 

 ceives its prey. While mastication and deglutition are 

 performed by these animals on land, it is not possible that 

 they should meet with any impediment ; but it frequently 

 happens, that the Seals devour the prey which they have 

 caught at the bottom of the waters, and it is difficult to 

 suppose that, in this case, the operation can be performed 

 in the same manner as in the other. In fact, when- the fish 

 is on land, the Seal seizes it with its teeth, crushes and 

 swallows it, letting it fall, as it were, into the stomach, rather 

 than directing it thither ; but in the water it catches the 

 prey by a sort of suction. It does not completely open the 

 mouth. It only separates the extremities of the lips, lower- 

 ing a iittle at the same time its under jaw. The fish is thus 

 drawn into the vacuum left in the mouth, if it presents it- 

 self suitably for that purpose, by the head, the tail, or the 

 point of the fins. 



Should it present a large surface, surpassing the little 

 aperture in the mouth, the Seal is obliged to adopt new 

 measures, and to attack it again. There is another point 

 upon which we are destitute of information. The Seal 

 must swallow its prey under the water. If this operation 

 were performed as on land, it is obvious, that along with 

 its food, it must of necessity swallow much of the liquid 

 element. How this is avoided, the observations of natural- 

 ists have not, as yet, enabled us to ascertain. 



