QUADRUPEDS. 
51 
THE SEAL. (Phoca vitellina.) 
THE amphibious flesh-eating animals, though nearly allied 
to the Otter in their habits, are yet very different in the 
construction of their bodies. Their feet are so short and 
so enveloped in skin, that they are of scarcely any use in 
assisting the animal on dry land ; so that the Seal's pro- 
gress on solid ground is only effected by a sort of half 
tumbling, jumping, and shuffling motion, excessively 
ridiculous to a looker-on. The feet, however, which are 
furnished with strong claws, are of use in enabling the 
animal to climb out of the water over a rocky shore. 
For swimming, the Seal is admirably adapted; its long 
flexible body is shaped like that of a fish, tapering to the 
tail ; and it is furnished with strong webs between the 
toes, so as to make the fore feet act as oars, and the hind 
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