THE HARP SEAL. 409 



In the first few months of its existence, the fur of the Harp Seal is white in color and woolly 

 in texture. At the expiration of a year the white changes to a grayish-cream. In the second 

 year, the fur is entirely gray. In the third year, the gray is diversified with stripes of darker 

 hues, and varying in number, dimensions, and position. The fourth year changes the stripes 

 into spots, and in the fifth year, the semi-lunar black stripes make their appearance. 



The Greenlanders designate the Harp Seal by different titles according to its years ; giving 

 it the name of Atak, or Attarak, in its first year, Atteisiak in the second, Agletok in the third, 

 Milektok in the fourth, and Attarsoak in the fifth. 



The Harp Seal is found in great numbers upon the coasts of Greenland, Iceland, and other 

 localities, and is rather peculiar in its mode of life. It does not much affect the shore after 

 the fashion of many Seals, but prefers to take up its residence upon floating ice-islands, dis- 

 regarding even the more solid fields of ice that are so much frequented by other animals 

 belonging to the same family. It is found in considerable numbers, congregating together in 

 herds under the leadership of a single chief, and constantly subject to his authority. 



There is always a sentinel planted by every herd, whose duty lies in looking out for 

 danger, and giving timely warning to the remainder of the herd. The Harp Seal seems withal 

 to be rather a reckless being, in spite of this precaution, for it is easily approached by a cau- 

 tious hunter, and can be destroyed with little difficulty. Sometimes it prefers "to takes its 

 repose without trusting itself upon ice or land, and sleeps while floating on the surface of the 

 sea. In this situation its slumbers are so profound that it has often been surprised and slain 

 before it has awoke from its treacherous somnolence. The Harp Seal is moderate in size, 

 being generally about seven or eight feet in length and proportionably stout. Some very large 

 specimens, however, are said to reach the length of nine feet. 



It is an extremely valuable animal both to Europe in general, and to the uncivilized inhab- 

 itants of Greenland. In this country we value the Harp Seal principally on account of the 

 excellent oil which it furnishes, and which is allowed to be of a purer and better character 

 than that which is obtained from other oil-producing animals. The creature is remarkably 

 well furnished with the fatty substance from which the oil is obtained, and is therefore eagerly 

 pursued, irrespective of the value which is set upon the fur. 



The food of this animal is almost wholly of an animal nature, and consists chiefly of 

 salmon and other fish, together with various mollusks and crustaceans. It, however, stands in 

 great dread of other species of Seal, such as the Sea Lion and Sea Bear, and according to many 

 accounts holds the spermaceti whale in awe, being chased by that formidable creature into the 

 shallow waters of the shore. Twice in the year the Harp Seal indulges in a migration similar 

 to that which has already been described when treating of the Sea Leopard. The young of this 

 species are sometimes two in number, although the maternal Seal is often forced to content 

 herself with a single child. 



Like the Common Seal, the Atak is possessed of much intelligence, and is very capable of 

 domestication. 



Two of these animals which were placed in the zoological collection at the Jardin des 

 Plantes, were at their first arrival extremely shy, and would avoid the person of a man with 

 every mark of terror. Yet in a very short time they became quite tame, and would voluntarily 

 seek the caresses of those who had behaved kindly towards them. They also struck up a 

 great friendship with two little dogs, and would permit their little playfellows to take all 

 kinds of liberties with them, permitting the dogs to sit on their backs and bark, and not even 

 resenting an occasional bite. They would even permit the dogs to take their food from their 

 mouths, but if their relation attempted to act in like manner, a sharp combat immediately took 

 place, the weaker being forced ultimately to succumb to superior might. 



In cold weather, dogs and Seals were accustomed to huddle closely together for the sake 

 of warmth, and when the dogs made their way out of the entrance, the Seals did their best to 

 follow their little playfellows, caring nothing for the rough ground over which they were 

 forced to pass. 



The Harp Seal is an abundant species in Greenland, and forms one of the great necessi- 

 ties of the Esquimaux — all parts of its body being utilized in the domestic requirements of that 



