140 THE KING'S MIRROR 



bearded seal, which occasionally grows to a length of 

 six ells or even seven. In addition there are various 

 smaller species, one of which is called the saddleback; * 

 it has this name because it does not swim on the belly 

 like other seals but on the back or side; its length is 

 never more than four ells. There remains the smallest 

 kind, which is called the " short seal " and is not more 

 than two ells in length. It has a peculiar nature; for it is 

 reported that these seals can pass under flat ice masses 

 four or even five ells thick and can blow up through 

 them; consequently they can have large openings where- 

 ever they want them. 



There still remains another species which the Green- 

 landers count among the whales, but which, it seems to 

 me, ought rather to be classed with the seals. f These are 

 called walrus and grow to a length of fourteen ells or 

 fifteen at the very highest. In shape this fish resembles 

 the seal both as to hair, head, skin, and the webbed feet 

 behind; it also has the swimming feet in front like the 

 seal. Its flesh like that of other seals must not be eaten 

 on fast days. Its appearance is distinguished from that 

 of other seals in that it has, in addition to the other small 

 teeth, two large and long tusks, which are placed in the 

 front part of the upper jaw and sometimes grow to a 

 s length of nearly an ell and a half, [jts hide is thick and 

 f e < J, good to make ropes ofj^it can be cut into leather strips 

 of such strength that sixty or more men may pull at one 

 rope without breaking it. The seals that we have just 

 discussed are called fish because they find their food 



* Also called the harp seal: Phoca Gramlandica. 



t This observation accords with modern scientific classification. 



