COMMON SEAL* 
187 
from tlie continent. When they suckle their 
young they sit up on their hinder legs, while these, 
which are at first white with woolly hair, cling 
to the teats, of which there are four in number, 
near the navel. In this manner the young conti- 
nue in the place where they are brought forth, 
for twelve or fifteen days ; after which the dam 
brings them down to the water, and accustoms 
them to swim and get their food by then own in- 
dustry. As each litter never exceeds above 
three or four, so the animal's cares are not much 
divided, and the education of her little ones as 
soon completed. In fact, the young are particu- 
larly docile ; they understand the mother's voice 
among the numerous bleatings of the test of the 
old ones ; they mutually assist each other in dan- 
ger, and are perfectly obedient to her call. Thus 
early accustomed to subjection, they continue to 
live in society, hunt and breed together, and have 
a variety oi tones by which they encourage to 
pursue, or warn each other of danger. Some 
compare their voices to the bleating of a flock of 
sheep, interrupted now and then by the barking 
of angry dogs, and sometimes the shriller notes 
of a cat. All along the shore, each has its own 
peculiar rock, of which it takes possession, and 
where it sleeps when fatigued with fishing, un- 
interrupted by any of the rest. The only season 
when their social spirit seems to forsake them, is 
that when they feel the influences of natural de- 
sire. They then fight most desperately ; and the 
male that is victorious keeps all the females to 
himself. Their combats, on these occasions, are 
managed with great obstinacy, and yet great 
justice; two are never seen to fall upon one to- 
gether ; hut each has its antagonist, and all fight 
mu equal battle, till one alone becomes victo- 
rious. 
