92 VERTEBRATES. 



hunt after its prey, -whicli it follows for many miles at a slow bnt 

 persevering pace, and seldom fails of bringing it down at last. It 

 is especially hated by the sable hunter, as it will follow him in his 

 rounds, robbing the traps of the baits as it proceeds, and should a 

 sable be caught it generally tears it to pieces, or buries it in the 

 snow. The hunter has some slight revenge in robbing it of ita 

 skin, as the fur is in some request; but the mischief it does him 

 is not by any means counterbalanced by the value of its hide. It 

 is a very determined animal, and when attacked defends itself 

 vigorously, proving more than a match for a dog. The length of 

 ihe Glutton, without the tail, is about two feet six inches. 



THE SEAL TRIBE. 



The Seal tribe are amphibious animals, being fitted to hve 

 either on land or in the water ; though, like the Otter, they are 

 quadrupeds, and have claws. 



The Common Seal inhabits the northern coast of Europe, 

 and is not unfrequently found along the Scottish coast, where 

 seal-hunting is a favorite amusement. The young are taken by 



stretching nets across the 

 narrow straits which they 

 frequent, but the older 

 and stronger animals are 

 shot or knocked down 

 „ , with clubs when they at- 



tempt to scramble into the 

 sea, as a blow on the nose instantly disables them. The fore-feel 

 of the Seal are usol as fins,- and the two hinder feet almost as the 

 tail of a fish, to assist and direct its course. On land the move- 

 ments of this animal are very clumsy; it shuiBes along by means 

 of its fore feet, or rather paddles, and drags its hind feet after it. 

 This seal, when taken young, is easily tamed. Edmonston gives 

 an amusing account of a seal named Finna, which he kept for 

 about six months. " We had her carried down daily in a hand- 

 barrow to the sea-side, where an old excavation admitting the sa'.t 

 water was abundantly roomy and deep for her recreation and oui 



