206 
URIGNE SEAL. 
When they find one of them asleep, they approach 
it against the wind ; strike a harpoon, fastened to a 
long cord, into its breast ; and run off with the 
utmost precipitation. The other end of the cord 
being fastened to a stake, prevents the animal from 
running entirely off ; and they principally effect his 
destruction by flinging their lances into him, or 
shooting him with arrows. As soon as he is exhaust- 
ed, they venture near enough to kill him with their 
clubs. When one of them is discovered alone on 
the rocks, they shoot him with poisoned arrows. 
Immediately he plunges into the sea ; but, unable 
to bear the poignancy of his wounds in the salt 
water, swims to shore in the utmost agony. If a 
good opportunity offers, they transfix him with 
their lances ; if not, they leave him to die of the 
poison. Such is the stupidity of these people, 
that, esteeming it a disgrace to leave any of their 
game behind, they frequently overload their boats 
so much, as to send both their booty and themselves 
to the bottom. But they disdain the thought ot 
saving themselves at the expence of any part of their 
prize. 
The flesh of their young is pleasant food, and 
their skin is used for the making of straps, shoes, 
$nd boots. 
Urjgne seal. 
Tins is a smaller species than the former, being 
found from about three to eight feet in length. 
The body is thick at the shoulders, and gradually 
lessens to the hind legs. The head resembles that 
of a dog with close cut ears ; the nose is short and 
blunt ; in the mouth are six cutting teeth above, 
and four below ; the fore feet have lour toes in- 
closed in a membraneous sheath, so as to resemble 
fins ; and the hind feet ate hid in a continuation 
