On the Habits of the Phoca. 543 



up the rock than the others, and he seems constantly awake, and 

 ever and anon upraises his " grim feature," scenting the windward 

 air. In the position first alluded to the main body frequently fall 

 asleep with their heads I may say hanging towards the water. 

 They generally prefer rocks of small dimensions, and as already 

 mentioned, such as are periodically covered by water. This for two 

 reasons; 1st, because, they are smoother, natter, and softer, being 

 covered with sea-weed ; 2dly, because from their comparatively 

 small size, they cannot be approached by human (or inhuman) foes, 

 without observation. 



They generally remain on their rocky resting-places, unless dis- 

 turbed, for nearly six hours, — that is, until the returning tide floats 

 them off upon its buoyant waves. When on shore they frequently 

 utter a grunting noise, not unlike that of a pig in a stye ; but they 

 never do so unless they feel perfectly secure. When severely 

 wounded they are heard to express their pain by a peculiar moan- 

 ing somewhat resembling the lowing of a cow. To what age the 

 seal attains, or at what period it arrives at maturity, I cannot say, 

 but the natives of the western isles suppose it to be long-lived. It 

 not unfrequently attains to the weight of ] 6 stone, or 224 pounds. 

 A specimen shot by Mr M'Neill, and not regarded as of large 

 size, weighed 12 stone, or 168 pounds. This animal can remain 

 under water nearly five minutes, and swims so rapidly, that dur- 

 ing that period, if much alarmed, it will proceed nearly half-a 

 mile. Though naturally of a timid nature, and always anxious to 

 escape by night, yet, when driven to extremity, a seal will show de- 

 termined fight, and the immense power which he possesses in his jaw 

 renders him a rather formidable foe. He moves with considerable 

 force and celerity, at least for a short distance, even on shore ; but 

 the moment he reaches the water, and has it in his power to bend 

 his body freely, it would be a vain endeavour, without an almost in- 

 stantaneous mortal blow, to arrest his onward progress. He seems to 

 receive some slight assistance during locomotion from his fore-paws, 

 but I think none at all from his hind ones. The motion is mainly 

 produced by a peculiar action of the body, somewhat like that of a 

 fish, but rather up and down, than from side to side. 



The common seal, though sagacious and extremely watchful, is 

 also characterized by a considerable degree of curiosity, and its at- 

 tention is obviously attracted by music. It is, however, too cun- 

 ning to betray itself by any undue indulgence, and a good rifle 

 is far more effectual than either flute or bag-pipe. If very much 

 alarmedjwhen on shore, seals will not return again to the same 

 spot^for weeks together, and if more continuously persecuted, they 



