THE SEAL. 



The feafon for taking Seals is in O&ober and November; when the 

 hunters enter the mouths of the caverns at midnight, with torches and 

 bludgeons, and, after Rationing themfelves in the moll advantageous manner, 

 alarm their prey by making a great noife. The Seals then advance in a 

 confufed throng from all parts of the cavern, filling the air with the moil 

 piteous moans; and, when the firft crowd is paft, whoferefiftlefsimpetuofity 

 might prove fatal to the hunters without proper caution, great numbers of 

 the young ones are killed by a blow on the nofe, which fpeedily terminates 

 their exiftence, though any other method would prove tedious, and poffibly 

 ineffectual. 



The flelh of the Seal is fometimes eaten by voyagers, and was formerly 

 confidered as an article of luxury, as appears by a bill of fare of a coftly 

 entertainment, given by Archbifhop Nevil, in the reign of Edward IV. At 

 prefent, however, the animal is hunted chiefly for its Ikin, which is ufed for 

 numerous conveniencies, and makes a beautiful kind of leather; and for its oil, 

 of which more than eight gallons are commonly extracted from a young one. 



The Seals found in the lakes Oron and Baikal are fmaller than thofe which 

 inhabit fait waters, but fo extremely fat as to feem almoll fhapelefs. The 

 voice of the young ones is clear, and fomewhat fimilar to the mewing of a 

 cat; but that of the old ones refembles the hoarfe barking of a dog. 



