-SEAL. 329 
sold from sixpence to ninepence the gallon, and th6 
skin from sixpence to a shilling. 
The seal has a broad flat head and nose, with- 
out any appearance of ears, but there are two small 
orifices instead of them, through which the sound 
is conducted; some bristles are seen on each side the 
nose, and a few are scattered over each eye. The 
forked tongue with which this animal is provided 
is sufficient alone to distinguish it from every other 
quadruped. The whole body is covered with short 
thick hair, which is frequently spotted like a leopard, 
and indeed is subject to great variations of colour ; 
some seals being quite white, while others are wholly 
black ; they are frequently of a brown colour, and 
sometimes of a yellowish white ; the legs protrude 
but a little way from the body, and are not at all 
adapted for travelling upon land ; but to make up 
for this deficiency nature has given them strong 
claws to their feet, by means of which they are ena- 
bled to climb the rocks, or ascend the top of large 
stones, where they bask in the sun, out of the 
reach of the tide. It is while they are thus situated 
that the hunters frequently shoot them : if they 
are fortunate enough to escape, they immediately 
scramble towards the water, flinging the stones and 
dirt behind them, and making the most bitter la- 
mentations, till they have regained their proper ele- 
ment. Notwithstanding their apparent cowardice, 
these animals will fight very desperately when wound- 
ed, and make a vigorous defence with their feet and 
teeth till the last. 
