336 * 
SEAL. 
among the Kamtschatkans, who have a sea in their 
very justs or dwellings. And this they imagine will 
induce the seals to suffer themselves to be taken in 
great numbers. Various other ceremonies, equally 
ridiculous, are practised, in one of which they are 
said to invoke the winds, which drive the seals on 
their shores, to be propitious. 
There are several different species of seal, each of 
which differs in some respect in its manners, as well 
as in those peculiar marks which distinguish it from 
the rest. Among the number, the ursine seal is sur- 
rounded by a seraglio of from eight to fifty mis- 
tresses ; and we are told that he guards them with 
the jealousy of an eastern monarch. Any attempt 
to seduce one of his mistresses is followed by an im- 
mediate battle ; and if he should unfortunately lose 
the day, his whole seraglio will desert him and fol- 
low the victorious hero. Every family keeps sepa- 
rate from the rest, notwithstanding they lie in great 
numbers on the shore; a household consists of about 
a hundred and twenty, and any encroachment upon 
the station of another is attended with the most 
serious consequences, as they always have recourse 
to their teeth and claws to settle their differences. 
With these they fight in a very tremendous man- 
ner, inflicting deep wounds that resemble the cut 
of a sabre. At the conclusion of the engagement 
they wash off the blood in the sea, and leave the 
rest to nature. 
The female goes with young eleven months, and 
brings forth one or two at a time. We are assured 
t 
