Habits of the Seal.

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 68

Habits of the Seal.

The seal is endowed with a remarkably powerful brain development, and is gifted with an amount of sagacity which entitles him to take high rank even among domestio cnimals. He is easily tamed, and evinces a degree of attachment in domestication second only to man's most faithful friend, the dog. This ie noticed by Pliny, and Cuvier describes ono displaying much intelligence and performing many tricks. But probably the most convincing, as it certainly is the most affecting', story of the domestio nature and attachment of the Phoca vitulina, or common seal, is the following, which is well authenticated: — "A young seal was domesticated in tho house of a

farmer near the seashore in Ireland. Ib grew apace ; its habits were innocent and gentle; it played with the children, was fam'liar with th© servants, and attached to the house and family. In summer it 6 delight was to bask in the sun ; in winter, to lie before the fire; or, if permitted, to creep into a largo oven — tho common appendage to an Irish kitclien. A disease attacked the black cattle, many of which died. An old hag persuaded th© credulous owner that th© mortality among his cattle was owing to his retaining about his house an unclean beast — th© harmless and amusing seal— and that it should be got rid of. The superstitious man caused the poor creature to be carried in a boat beyond Clare Island, and thrown into tho sea. The next monnmg tho seal was found quietly sleeping in the oven. He had crept through an open window and taken possession of his favourito retreat. The cattle continued to die; tho seal was again committed to th© deep at a greater distaaice. On tho second evening, as the servant, was raking the fire, ehe heard a scratching at the door ; eho opened it, and in came tho seal. It uttered a peculiar ciy, expressive of delight, at finding itself one© more at home; and stretching itself upon the hearth, iell into a sound sleep. The old hag was again consulted. She said it would be unlucky to kill t-lio animal, but advised that its should bo" put animal, but advised that it 3 eyes should bo put cut, and the seal then thrown into th© sea. The deluded 1 wretci listened to th© barbarous suggestion, and the innocent creature was deprived of its sight, and a third timo. writhing in agony, was carried beyond Clare Island, amd thrown into tho sea. On th© eighth night after th© harmless seal had been devoted to the Atlantic, it blew a tremendous gale. In the paiwes of tho storm a wailing noiso was at times faintly hoard at the door, which the servant concluded to be the banshee (tho harbinger of death in a family). The next morning, when the door was opened, the seal was found lying dead upon tho threshold." — "Weld's Vacation in Ireland."