47<> HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



with torches and bludgeons, enter the mouths of the ca- 

 verns about midnight, and row in as far as they can : 

 They then land ; and, being properly flationed, begin by 

 making a great noife, which alarms the Seals, and brings 

 them down from all parts of the cavern in a confufed bo- 

 dy, making frightful fhrieks and cries. In this hazard- 

 ous employment, great care is neceflary on the part of 

 the hunters to avoid the throng, which preffes down with 

 great impetuofity, and bears away every thing that op- 

 pofes its progrefs ; but when the firft crowd is paft, they 

 kill great numbers of young ones, which generally ftrag- 

 gle behind, by ftriking them on the nofe. 



A young Seal yields above eight gallons of oil.-^When 

 full grown, their Ikins are very valuable, and make a 

 beautiful kind of leather, much ufed in making ftioes, 

 &c. 



The flefli of the Seal is fometimes eaten ; and that it 

 was formerly admitted to the tables of the great, may be 

 feen in the bill-of-fare of a fumptuous entertainment 

 given by archbilhop Nevil in the reign of Edward the 

 Fourth. 



The growth of Seals is fo amazingly rapid, that after 

 nine tides from their birth they are as active as the old 

 ones. 



The female brings forth her young on the land, fits on 

 her hind legs while (he fuckles them, and, as foon as they 

 are able, carries them to fea, learns them to fwim and 

 fearch for food : When they become fatigued, fhe places 

 them on her back. — The young ones know the voice of 

 their mother, and attend to her call. 



The voice of the Seal has been compared to the hoarfe 

 barking of a Dog ; when young, it is clearer, and refem- 

 bles the mewing of a Cat. 



