FIN-FOOTED CARNIVORES 57 



1. Its movements on land (or ice) are extremely awkward and 

 ungainly. Its limbs being so short, and placed in reference to the body 

 in the manner described above, the animal cannot progress by walking ; 

 it can use its fore-limbs only for holding on when ascending a cliff. The 

 seal, in fact, progresses more after the manner of the looper cater- 

 pillars ; supporting itself on its breast, it bends up its back so that the 

 hinder part of the abdomen is brought close to the chest; it then 

 rapidly stretches its body, whereby the fore-part of the body is thrown 

 some distance forwards. The thick layer of blubber has the effect of 

 lessening the shocks caused by these movements. 



2. For hours, and even days, the seals, especially while suckling their 

 young, which are brought forth on the land, rest on the damp soil or the 

 storm-tossed cliffs or ice-floes without suffering from the cold. The 

 thick layer of fat, and, in a secondary degree, the thick fur, prevent any 

 loss of heat so perfectly that not even a trace of ice is seen to have thawed 

 underneath an animal which has been lying for hours on an ice-floe ; 

 also, as in the case of the otter, the hairs of the fur are always so well 

 lubricated as not to be wetted by the water. 



3. In consequence of the awkwardness of its movements, the seal on 

 dry land is somewhat helpless against its enemies (Polar bears, man) ; but 

 by the help of — 



(a) Its sharp senses it can descry an enemy even at a distance, and 

 at once makes for the protection of the sea. The sense of smell is 

 probably even keener than the sight and hearing, the nasal cavities 

 being as large as in the dog (which see). 



(b) The colour of the skin also affords some protection to the animal 

 when resting on the shore, its back being yellowish-gray, and dotted 

 with brown or black spots, thus bearing more or less resemblance to 

 the colour of the ground. 



D. Importance of the Seal to Man. 



The seal, being a destroyer of an immense number of food-fishes, is 

 undoubtedly the most destructive animal of our coasts, and consequently 

 incessantly persecuted by fishermen. Neither the skin nor* the blubber, 

 from which train-oil is made, make up for the damage it inflicts. To 

 the Greenlander, on the other hand, the seal and its nearest kindred are 

 uncommonly useful ; indeed, were it not for the presence of these animals 

 in the icy waters which wash the coasts of Greenland, these regions 

 would cease to be habitable. 



In his light, one-seated canoe (kajak) the hardy Greenlander rows 

 out to sea, making his way through icebergs and floes, and endeavours, 

 with as little noise as possible, to approach the seal or to surprise it 



