110 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
302. These animals vary from four to nine feet in 
length. They also vary in colour, some being black, 
others white, some spotted, and many yellow. Their 
food consists of fish, which they are very expert in 
catching. Seals are taken for the sake of their 
skins and oil. 
303. The Icelanders believe them to be the off- 
spring of Pharaoh and his host, who were converted 
into Seals on their being overwhelmed in the Red 
Sea. Were it not for these animals, the Green- 
lander could not inhabit his rigid clime, as it is prin 
cipally from them that he derives the necessaries of 
life. 
THE OTTER. 
304. The common Otter is of a deep brown col- 
our, and is usually about two feet long ; the head 
and nose are broad and flat ; the neck is short, and 
the body long : the tail is broad at the insertion, but 
tapering to a point ; the eyes are small, and situa- 
ted very near the nose ; the legs are very short, and 
so placed that they can perform the office of fins. 
What are Seals taken for ? What do the Icelanders believe 
concerning them ? Of what importance are they to the Green- 
lander ? 
Describe the common Otter, 
