OEDEE OE AMPHIBIA. 
105 
Cats. [In the dark, their eye produces brilliant light, as do also 
those of the Sea-bears.] Their hearing must he very weak, since the 
organs of this sense have no exterior conch for catching the sounds ; 
the sense of smell does not seem to he very acute. The touch is 
exercised apparently by means of the long and hard hairs which 
adorn the upper lip ; for they abut upon nerves of a remarkable 
size. As for their taste, it is altogether rudimentary, if one judges 
of it by the gluttony of these Amphibia. They often swallow 
their prey whole, without chewing it, although they can only do 
so after most energetic efforts. When it is too big to he devoured 
all at once, they divide it into many morsels, by the action of their 
teeth or nails, and swallow without taking the trouble of masti- 
cation. 
The voice of the Common Seal, Phoca vitulina (Fig. 27), consists 
of a sort of bark, analogous to that of a Dog. When it is irritated 
it makes a noise like an angry Cat, and shows its teeth. Certain 
species pronounce distinctly the syllable pa , many times in succes- 
sion. This is enough for the speculators in wonderful exhibitions 
to hang out, as a bait for the credulity of marvel-hunters, a 
notice that within is to be seen an extraordinary animal, a 
marine monster, which says papa and mamma as well as you or I 
could do. 
Seals have almost the same habits as Walruses ; but they are 
not confined, as are the last-named Amphibia, to the frozen seas 
of the north, although they are more numerous, and generally 
stronger there than anywhere else. They [or rather Sea-bears] 
abound equally in the southern seas. They are to be met with on 
all the coasts of Europe, and even in certain lakes or interior seas, 
such as the Caspian Sea, the lake Baikal, and, lastly, the lakes 
Ladoga and Onega (Russia in Europe), if we are to believe certain 
authors. They live in large troops in the creeks, the bays, and in 
the midst of the archipelagoes full of rocks. 
All the species do not choose the same sites for their resort ; 
some prefer sandy shores sheltered from the winds, others 
select those rocks which are constantly beaten against by the 
waves, while again some choose a beach thickly covered with sea- 
weed. They love, above all, the tempest, the roaring of the waves, 
the whistling of the wind, the mighty voice of the thunder, and 
the vivid flashings of the lightning. They delight to see, rolling 
