THE STORY OF THE SEAL 
295 
affectionate. The children soon after paid it a second visit* when it renewed 
its demonstrations, whining piteously if they left it for a moment. When 
they heard how unhappy it had .been they begged to have it back, and as 
the authorities were afraid it might pine to death if left there, they con¬ 
sented, and it returned to its old home, where it passed many happy years 
with its beloved master and mistress, who never parted with it again. 
The usual length of these animals is five or six feet. The head is large 
and round, the neck small and short, and on each side of the mouth there are 
several strong bristles. From the shoulders the body tapers to the tail. The 
eyes are large, there are no external ears, and the tongue is cleft or forked at 
the end. 
The legs are very short, and the hinder ones are placed so far back as to 
be of but little use, except in swimming. The feet are all webbed. The tail 
js short. The animals vary in color, their short, thick-set hair being some- 
