FIED SEAL. 
time, all the north of Europe and Asia was 
unknown. 
BuiFon observes, that the Seal is formed on 
tlie model of the Tritons, Syrens, and other 
Sea Deities of the Poets ; who fabled them 
with the head of a man, the body of a qua- 
druped, and the tail of a fish. Perhaps, we 
may safely add that, it is the true and sole 
foundation of the Mermaid. At least, we 
find a wonderful coincidence between the fa- 
bulous attributes of that supposed animal, and 
the authenticated accounts of the Seal. The 
appearance of the Mermaid, has always been 
considered as foreboding a tempest, and tlie 
Seal, it is remarked, by BufFon and others, 
instead of beinsr terrihed bv thunder and li^ht- 
ning, seems to be delighted on such occasions. 
It comes ashore in storms; and even quits 
it's icy abode to avoid the shock of the tem- 
pestuous waves. These animals, at such times, 
sport in great numbers along the shore: the 
tremendous confii6^ appears to divert them, 
and the fall of heavy rains to enliven and re- 
fresh them. Pennant remarks, that they fro- 
Ji'^- greatly in their element, and will sport 
without 
