THE SEAL. 
244 
of fifty yards, and are very bold when in the 
sea. In summer they leave the water to bask 
or sleep in the sun, on the top of large stones 
or fragments of rock. When annoyed, they 
hasten towards the sea, flinging dirt and stones 
behind them as they scramble along, at the 
same time expressing their fears by piteous 
moans ; but if they happen to be overtaken 
they will make a vigorous defence with their 
claws and teeth till they are killed. They are 
extremely watchful, and never sleep long with- 
out moving, seldom longer than a minute ; 
alternately raising their heads, and, if they see 
or hear nothing more than ordinary, laying 
them down again. Nature seems to have 
gifted them with this watchfulness, because, 
being destitute of external ears, they cannot 
hear very quick, nor from any great distance. 
They are taken for the sake of their skins, 
and for the oil yielded by their fat. 
The seal is said to delight in thunder- 
