SEALS AND THEIR HABITS. 
Ill 
the hunter is not prepared, and before he is ready for 
their reception, they have vanished out of sight, like 
the spectre forms seen in some troubled dream. 
These seals rise to the surface of the water unex¬ 
pectedly, without making the slightest ripple, or so 
quietly that they seem to appear by magic ; and when 
frightened they sink out of sight in the same im¬ 
perceptible fashion, without warning of any kind. 
Slowly and gradually they sink, in the most tiresome 
and tantalising manner, while you are trying to fix the 
sights of your rifle in the very unsteady boat. The 
thought that they must be hit fair in the head is an 
additional reason for being nervous ; in our opinion it 
is the most difficult description of shooting a sportsman 
can have. 
The steersman detects four fine beasts upon a block 
of floating ice, in the distance. The crew give way 
with a will, and as the boat comes just within the 
desired range, and we are about to single out the 
largest among them, they suddenly disappear, diving 
over the edge of the floe with a graceful ease, to 
see which almost repays one’s disappointment and 
chagrin. 
Later on in the day the anxiety to shoot, often 
caused the crew to be utterly careless in their manage¬ 
ment of the fire-arms and ammunition entrusted to 
