406 AFFECTIONATE NATURE OF THE SEAL. 



It is no easy matter to hit a Seal, even at the short range of a hundred yards, for the creature 

 exposes but little of its person above the surface of the water, and if alarmed, does not remain 

 exposed for more than a few seconds. 



It is very tenacious of life, and requires a heavy missile to kill it upon the spot, the 

 ordinary "pea rifles" being of little use for such a purpose. Should the Seal not be killed 

 immediately, the sportsman will never obtain possession of his prey, and even when a well 

 directed shot has instantaneously deprived the animal of life, it will often sink out of reach 

 unless struck by a barbed fish-spear, which should always be kept in readiness for that purpose. 

 ' Much sea-craft is required for the chase of the Seal, as well as considerable knowledge of 

 the animal and its habits. It is a remarkable fact that if the Seal be disturbed while the tide 

 is ebbing, it will always make its way seawards ; but that if it be alarmed while the tide is 

 flowing, it will direct its course towards the land. 



The Seal is also a good natural barometer, and by its movements indicates to a practised 

 eye the forthcoming changes in the weather. Whenever an old Seal is seen rolling and 

 tumbling along a bank, a storm of wind and rain is sure to ensue before many hours 

 have passed. 



This species of Seal, in common with several others, is mightily fond of musical sounds, 

 and has often been known to follow a boat while some one was playing on a musical instru- 

 ment. Some persons say that the Seal-shooters ought always to be accompanied by a piper in 

 order to induce the Seals to approach, and assert that the animals prefer the sound of the 

 bagpipes to that of any other instrument, an assertion which, if true, only shows that the 

 Seal must be in the very earliest stage of musical feeling. 



The Common Seal is very easily tamed, and speedily becomes one of the most docile of 

 animals, attaching itself with strong affection to its human friends, and developing a beauti- 

 fully gentle and loving nature, hardly to be expected in such an animal. Many of these 

 creatures have been taken when young, and have been strongly domesticated with their 

 captors, considering themselves to belong of right to the household, and taking their share of 

 the fireside with the other members of the family. An interesting account of a tame Seal was 

 lately sent to the Field newspaper, and runs as follows : 



" If taken young and treated kindly, the Seal will rival the dog in sagacity and affection 

 for its master. 



" When a boy, I was presented by some fishermen with one apparently not more than a 

 fortnight old, which in a few weeks became perfectly tame and domesticated, would follow me 

 about, eat from my hand, and showed unmistakable signs of recognition and attachment 

 whenever I approached. It was fond of heat, and would lie for hours at the kitchen fire, 

 raising its head to look at every new-comer, but never attempting to bite, and would nestle 

 close to the dogs, who soon became quite reconciled to their new friend. 



" Unfortunately the winter after I obtained it was unusually rough and stormy. Upon the 

 wild coasts boats could seldom put to sea, and the supply of fish became scanty and precarious. 

 We were obliged to substitute milk in its place, of which the Seal consumed large quantities, 

 and as the scarcity of other food still continued, it was determined, in a family council, that 

 it should be consigned to its own element, to shift for itself. 



' ' Accompanied by a clergyman who took a great interest in my pet, I rowed out for a couple 

 of miles to sea, and dropped it quietly overboard. Very much to our astonishment, however, 

 we found that it was not so easy to shake it off. Fast as we pulled away it swam still faster 

 after the boat, crying all the time so loudly that it might easily have been heard a mile 

 away, and so pitifully that we were obliged to take it in again and bring it home, where, 

 after this new proof of attachment, it lived in clover for several months, and I believe 

 might still be in existence but for the untimely fate which most pets are doomed sooner 

 or later to experience, and to which this one was no exception." 



A somewhat similar story is told in Maxwell's "Wild Sports of the West," where 

 may be found a very interesting and touching narrative of a tamed Seal, which lived for 

 several years with a family, and which, although it was repeatedly taken out to sea in a 

 boat and thrown overboard, always found its way back again to the house which it loved, 



