338 
SEAL* 
assures us that one of them received above a hun-< 
dred wounds. 
When the Kamtschatkans discover a seal on the 
lonely rocks in the sea, they sometimes shoot it 
with poisoned arrows. This is a very barbarous 
practice ; as the seal immediately plunges into 
the sea, where the salt water so increases the 
pain that the distracted creature is obliged to seek 
the land in hopes of some relief. Here an end may 
possibly be put to its sufferings by the hunters, who, 
if they find a good opportunity, will transfix it with 
their lances ; if not, they unfeelingly leave it to die 
of the poison, which never fails to accomplish its 
purpose in twenty-four hours ; during which time 
the dying seal suffers the most dreadful agony. 
The skin and fat of the seal are now become a 
yery considerable article of commerce. The skin, 
properly tanned, is of great use in the manufactory 
of boots and shoes ; and the oil, made from the fat, 
greatly contributes to supply the magnificent pro- 
fusion of lamps with which our immense capital 
and its neighbourhood abound* 
