URSINE SEAL.] 
According to Fcrster, even the cubs, on the 
Island of Ne w Georgia, are very fierce ; bark- 
ing at our sailors as they passed by, and biting 
at their legs : the breeding time, in that island, 
is the beginning of January. 
The Ursine Seal swims with great force, and 
at the rate of seven miles an hour. When 
wounded, it seizes on the boat, carries it along 
with prodigious impetuosity, and not unfre- 
quently sinks it. It can remain a long time 
under water; and, when it wants. to climb the 
rocks, fastens on them with it*s fore paws, and 
so drags itself up. It is exceedingly tenacious 
of life ; and has been knowni to survive a fort- 
night, after receiving such wounds as must have 
immediately proved niiortal to almost any other 
animaL 
