
Crass 1s Sia te Ars 
‘ They are excellent fwimmers, and ready di- 
€ vers, and are very bold when in the dea, fwim- 
€ ming carelefsly enough about boats: their dens or 
© lodgements are in hollow rocks, or caverns, near 
©the fea; but out of the reach of the tide: in 
* the fummer they will come out of the water, to 
€ bafk or fleep in the fun, on the top of large ftones, 
‘or fhivers of rocks; and that is the opportunity 
© our countrymen take of fhooting them: if they 
‘chance to efcape, they haften towards their pro- 
* per element, flinging {tones and dirt behind them, 
* as they fcramble along; at the fame time expref- 
‘fing their fears by piteous moans; but if they 
‘ happen to be overtaken, they will make a vigo- 
*rous defence with their feet and teeth, till they 
‘are killed. They are taken for the fake of their 
‘fkins, and for the oil their fat yields: the former 
‘fell for four fhillings, or four and fix-pence a 
‘piece; which, when dreffed, are very ufcful in 
* covering trunks, making waiftcoats, fhot pouch- 
‘es, and feveral other conveniencies.’ 
The flefh of thefe animals, and even of porpefes, 
formerly found a place at the tables of the creat; as 
appears from the bill of fare of that vaft fea{t that 
archbifhop Nevill gave in the reign of Edward the 
fourth, in which is feen, that feveral were provided 
on the occafion*. They couple about prz/, on 
Targe rocks, or: fmall iflands, not remote from the 
* Leland’s Colleétanea, 
Jig {hore ; 
141 
