no 



OLAFSEN AND POVELSElVs 



cies : but it 'certainly deserves to be ranked among the most 

 sagacious of animals. The aversion which some Icelanders have 

 for this animal, is in some degree innate ; for nothing can induce 

 them to eat its flesh, though prepared in the best possible man- 

 ner, and even disguised so that they could not distinguish it : this 

 aversion may perhaps arise from a knowledge that the seal is very 

 fond of human flesh; and that it always follow boats and ships, to 

 feast on the corpses of those who may be drowned or fall over- 

 board. Those seals that have the most hideous aspect, are very 

 dangerous when enraged : they light together, making the most 

 horrid bello wings ; and when they attack a man, it is seldom that 

 he can get rid of them without" losing his life. The bite of a 

 mad dog is not more severe : they rise up against a man with 

 impetuosity, attack him first with their claws,* and bite him 

 wherever they can. They preserve their ferocity even when they 

 take to flight, and throw stones at their pursuers with their hind 

 feet. When they perceive a man, and the latter does not succeed 

 in giving them a blow on the head, they endeavour to seize his 

 stick in their mouths, in order to force it from his hand ; and if 

 he unluckily allow them time to rear on their hind legs, they 

 catch him by the breast, and hold him with such force, that it is 

 impossible for him to get free without assistance. 



It is well known, that in ancient times the flesh of the seal was 

 in high repute as an article of food, and that it is still so in many 

 parts; much, however, depends on the choice of the animal. 

 The flesh of the old seal is black ; and that of the Landselur, 

 when young, is allowed to possess the best flavour. On killing 

 the animal, the blood is immediately expressed, and the flesh 

 washed and salted and afterwards smoked a little, when it be- 

 comes a relish which is pleasing even to epicures. It should, how- 

 ever, be a year old, to possess its proper flavour. We are surprized 

 how the Green] anders, who may be said to live on seals, can be 

 so active and clever in all their movements; it is equally asto- 

 nishing how the Icelanders, who, notwithstanding their aversion, 

 are obliged in years of scarcity to live upon the flesh and fat of 

 this animal, nevertheless enjoy good health, and preserve their 

 spirits and size. All the inconvenience that arises to them is, 

 that they lose in some degree their strength., and are not so 

 fit for hard labour, 



OF THE MA I? MEN ILL, OR SEA-MAN. 



Many centuries have elapsed since authors first wrote about 

 the marmenill. Torfaeus, in his u History of Norway,", says 

 that it is met with in Iceland ; and bishop Pontoppidan assures 

 us, in his " Natural History of Norway," vol. ii. p. 302, that 

 there are several species of it. M. Strocm, in his " Suudmces-. 



