. Ocean wonders: a companion for the seaside. Seal swimming. might really be mistaken for a semi-human being. When itreturns to the water, the prominent nostrils of the seal flat-ten out, closing the apertures and effectually excluding thewater. Seals live principally on small live fish; and, whenaiming for a dinner, with their bright eyes fixed on a victim,they dart upon it with almost lightning-speed. They are not only capable of being tamed when in cap-tivity, but it may truly be said they can be educated. They 178 THE OCEAN. are extremely sensitive to sounds,1 and can even be taught toenun
. Ocean wonders: a companion for the seaside. Seal swimming. might really be mistaken for a semi-human being. When itreturns to the water, the prominent nostrils of the seal flat-ten out, closing the apertures and effectually excluding thewater. Seals live principally on small live fish; and, whenaiming for a dinner, with their bright eyes fixed on a victim,they dart upon it with almost lightning-speed. They are not only capable of being tamed when in cap-tivity, but it may truly be said they can be educated. They 178 THE OCEAN. are extremely sensitive to sounds,1 and can even be taught toenunciate short syllables. I had one that could say Pa andMa intelligibly, and no doubt with longer instruction itmight have acquired other words. This one would also play. The Seal (Plioca vitulind). a whole tune through on a hand-organ, by holding on to thecrank with its right flipper. He could also make as gracefula bow as any lady need wish to receive, and he would throwa kiss with his flipper with much more ease and grace thanmany persons exhibit; but, while throwing kisses to you withone flipper, he would also throw water over you with theother, and expect you to enjoy that as well as himself! Hewould also follow me about like a dog, and was not even dis- 1 It is mentioned in the diary of Captain Tyson ( Arctic Experiences, page303), that seals can be attracted by any soft, pleasant sound, whistling, singing,or words spoken in a pleasing tone; and these devices were used by him toprocure provisions for his ice-floe party. THE WHITE WHALE—THE SEAL. 179 couraged by a flight of stairs, up and down which he wTonldgo to keep me in sight. When I was obliged to leave himat night, or any other time, he would beckon to me with hishead and neck to come bac
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