COMMON SEAL* 189 
have swam in with the belly undermost ; and thus 
at last it got free. 
The seal is taken for the sake of its skin, and 
for the oil its fat yields. The former sells for 
about four shillings ; and, when dressed, it is 
very useful in covering trunks, making waist- 
coats, shot-pouches, and several other conveni- 
ences. The flesh of this animal formerly found 
place at the tables of the great. At a feast pro- 
vided by archbishop Neville, for Edward IV. 
there were twelve seals and porpoises provided 
among other extraordinary rarities. 
I ; In swimming, the seals always keep their head 
above water. They sleep on l he rocks ; and are 
extremely watchful, never sleeping long without 
moving ; seldom longer than a minute ; they then 
raise their heads, and if they see or hear nothing 
more than ordinary, again lie down, and so oil, 
raising their heads a little, and inclining them al- 
ternately at intervals of about a minute. Nature 
seems to have given them this precaution, as being 
unprovided with auricles or external ears ; and 
consequently not hearing very quick, nor from 
any great distance. 
Seals, if taken young, are capable of being 
tamed ; they will follow their master like a dog, 
and come to him when called by the name that is 
given to them. Some years ago a young seal was 
thus domesticated ; it was taken at a little distance 
from the sea, and was generally kept in a. vessel 
full of salt water ; but sometimes was allowed to 
crawl about the house, and even to approach the 
fire. Its natural food was regularly procured for 
it ; and it was taken to the sea every day, and 
thrown in from a boat. It used to swim after the 
boat, and always allowed itself to be taken back. 
It lived thus for several weeks ; and probably 
would have lived much longer, had it not been 
