124 THE SEAL. 
colour of its fur is generally of a greyish yellow, sprinkled with spots of 
brown, or brownish black, which are larger and more conspicuous along the 
back than upon the sides. The under portions of the body are of a much 
lighter hue. The feet are short, and the claws of the hinder feet are larger 
than those of the anterior limbs. The total length of the adult Seal is seldom 
more than five feet, the head being about eight or nine inches long. 
This creature is wonderfully active both in water and on land, although its 
bodily powers are but awkwardly manifested when it is removed from the 
watery element in which it loves to roam. It is a persevering hunter of fish, 
chasing and securing them in a manner that greatly excites the wrath of the 
fishermen, who see their best captives taken away from them without the 
possibility of resistance. So cunning as well as active is the Common Seal, 
that one of these animals will coolly hang about the fishing grcunds through- 
"out the season, make itself familiar 
with all the turns and angles of the 
‘nets, and avail itself of their help 
in capturing the fish on which it is 
desirous to make a meal. 
On the British coasts the chase 
of the Seal is but of local ‘#mport- 
ance, but on the shore of Newfound- 
me land it assumes a different aspect, 
SEAL. —|Phoca vitalina) and becomes an important branch 
of commercial enterprise, employing 
many vessels annually. In a successful season the number of Seals which 
are taken amount to many hundred thousand. A large quantity of oil is 
obtained from the bodies of the Seals, and is used for various purposes, 
while their skins are of considerable value either when tanned into leather 
or when prepared with the fur and used for making various articles of dress 
and luxury. 
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 beautifully 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. 
Of late days, performing Seals have come into vogue under various titles, 
among which the “ Talking Fish ” is well known. These clever animals have 
been taught to perform sundry ingenious feats, requiring not only an intelli- 
gent mind to comprehend, but an activity of body to execute, apparently 
incompatible with the conformation of the animal. 
AMONG all the strange forms which are found among the members of the 
Seal family, there is none which presents a more terribly grotesque appear- 
ance than that of the WALRUS, MORSE, or SEA HORSE, as this extraordinary 
animal is indifferently termed. 
The most conspicuous part of this animal is the head, with its protuberant 
muzzle bristling with long wiry hairs, and the enormous canine teeth that 
project from the upper jaw. These huge teeth measure, in large specimens, 
from fourteen inches to two feet in length, the girth at the base being nearly 
seven inches, and their weight upwards of ten pounds each. In ordinary 
specimens, however, the length is about one foot. In some examples they 
approach each other towards their points, and in others they diverge consider- 
ably, forming in the opinion of some writers two distinct species. As. how- 
ever, the relative position of these teeth varies slightly in every specunes 
