244 PHOCiD^. 



steamer in which I was ran against a Seal sleeping in 

 this manner." 



In the quaint language of Low, in his " Fauna Orca- 

 densis," " Seals seem to have a great deal of curiosity : 

 if people are passing in boats they often come quite 

 close up to the boats and stare at them, following for a 

 long time together : if people are speaking loud, they 

 seem to wonder what may be the matter. The church 

 of Hoy, in Orkney, is situated near a small sandy bay 

 much frequented by these creatures ; and I observed 

 when the bell rang for divine service all the Seals within 

 hearing, swam directly for the shore, and kept looking 

 about them as if surprised, rather than frightened, and 

 in this manner continued to wonder so long as the 

 bell rang." The fondness of these animals for music has 

 been often noticed, and did not escape the attention of 

 Sir Walter Scott, who tells us how — 



" Rude Heiskar's Seals through surges dark 

 Will long pursue the minstrel's bark." 



Ill the " Naturalists' Library," it is stated that Seals may 

 easily be attracted by playing on a flute, and Scoresby 

 says that whistling will often bring them to the surface. 



The promise of intelligence and docility given by the 

 highly developed brain and mild demeanour of the true 

 Seals, is not belied by their conduct in captivity. There 

 are many records of the extent to which they may be 

 rendered obedient to the commands of their master, to 

 whom they often exhibit a very warm attachment. 

 Frederic Cuvier mentions one which would rise on its 

 hind feet, shoulder a stick as a musket, lie down on the 

 right or left side, and perform many other tricks. The 

 so-called " Talking Fish " which were exhibited in this 

 country some years ago, were merely well-trained Seals. 



