Governor Hoffman. “DON’T TROUBLE YOURSELVES, GENTLEMEN:  I SHALL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO OCCUPY THE CHAIR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, YET.”]

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COMIC ZOOLOGY.

Genus, Phoca.—­The Seal.

This is the common name of the inoffensive and fur-bearing members of the Phocidae family.  The word seal is derived, radically, from the German Siegel, so that to say a man has “fought mit SIEGEL,” is equivalent to remarking that he has assailed a harmless and timid seal.

The Phocidae, without distinction of sex, are known as Mammafers, although it would manifestly be more correct to call the males Papafers.  Under the present classification, the confusion of genders necessarily engenders confusion.

Unless AGASSIZ is gassing us, the true seal has no sign of an ear, wherefore the deafening roar of the surf in which it delights to sport is probably no inconvenience to it.  As distinguished from dumb beasts in general, it may properly be called a deaf and dumb animal.  The false seal, on the contrary, has as true an ear as e’er was seen.  To the counterfeits belong the sea lion, the Mane specimen of the tribe in the Arctic sea, and the sea leopard, which seems to be phocalized in the Antarctic circle.  All the varieties of the seal seek concealment in caverns, and their Hides are much sought after.

Sealing was at one time chiefly monopolized by adventurous New Englanders, who combined the pursuit with whaling, but at present the sealers of Salt Lake bear off the palm from all competitors, both as regards numbers and hardihood.  Whether they combine whaling with sealing is not positively known, but probably they do.  Such is the universal passion for sealing among the people of that region, that the old men act like Young men when engaged in this exciting occupation.

The Phocidae appear to have attracted the attention of Mankind at a very early period—­Seals being frequently spoken of in the Scriptures.  St. JOHN witnessed the opening of no less than seven varieties, and must have been well acquainted with their internal structure.

The earless, or true species, are often seen in considerable numbers on the British coast, and the Great Seal of England—­only to be found in the vicinity of the Thames—­is of such remarkable size and weight, that it never makes its appearance without producing a strong Impression.

The Green Seal, a much admired variety, is peculiar to Madeira, and seals of various colors are often seen in close proximity to the British.  Ports; the number taken off Cork being prodigious.

None of the animals of the Phoca genus are tenacious of life.  They may readily be destroyed with sealing whacks.  A large stick properly applied has been known to seal the fate of a dozen in the space of half an hour.  KANE knocked them over without difficulty, and they never attempt to defend themselves, according to PANEY.