_October 9._
Near Esbro an iron mine has lately been opened. About the church are
sundry sepulchral monuments. I noticed on the small surrounding hills,
as well as at Musangen, very fine and lofty plants of juniper
resembling cypresses, the branches erect and close, assuming a conical
or pyramidal figure.
_October 10._
About one o'clock in the afternoon I arrived safe at Upsal.
To the Maker and Preserver of all things be praise, honour and glory for
ever!
* * * * *
Some observations relative to the Seal, _Phoca vitulina_.
There are two kinds (or varieties) of this animal. The _Gr[)a] Si[)a]l_
(Grey Seal) is the largest, of a grey colour, lighter, and slightly
clouded on the back. The _Wikare Si[)a]l_ (Creek Seal) is smaller, black
on the back, and very cloudy or wavy at the sides. Otherwise there is no
difference between them.
The whelp at its birth is perfectly white, being covered with white hair
about an inch long, which it loses in four or five weeks, and becomes
quite black. At the same period it acquires more activity and shyness
than at first. The upper fore teeth are six, very small, resembling
those of a dog. The eye-teeth slightly enlarged at their outer edge, as
in the dog, and furnished with a little notch at their base. Grinders
six. Whiskers remarkably large. There are two nipples a little below the
navel, which the female has a power of drawing in, so as to leave holes
large enough to admit the finger. She lets them out at pleasure to her
young one.
The seal lies on its back while sleeping, either on the ice or on rocks.
They couple soon after the feast of St. Matthew, September 21; and the
grey seal brings forth its young in January, the creek seal in February.
The male runs round and round the female many times, with a yelping
noise, being very careful not to be observed.
When the female has young, the male is very savage, and continually
attends to protect her. She brings forth but one at a birth, which at
first is dull and stupid, easily caught. If thrown into the water,
however, he exerts himself with some activity, and returns to the shore,
not having as yet acquired any shyness. But by the time all his first
coat of white hair is fallen off, he begins to be timid. The growth of
the young seals is very rapid.
The seal, when out of the water, can hardly distinguish objects at half
a quarter of a mile's distance at the utmost. But in foggy and dull
weather he sees better than in sunshine. He never remains in the water
during moon-light nights. His hearing is acute though he has no external
ears, and his scent is also very quick. He can remain under water for
nearly half a quarter of an hour; but by that time he must, at the peril
of his life, come to the surface to breathe, which he often does within
a fathom of the shore, and he afterwards spouts out water.
Nets for catching seals are set right out into the sea, from some
promontory, to the distance of twenty fathoms. These are examined every
morning, to see what is caught. They are chiefly set from St.
Bartholomew (August 24), when the moon is in her wane, till over St.
Matthew's day, September 21.
Grey seals are hunted in winter till Lady-day. They lie upon the ice,
often in great numbers, close to a hole which they have made in it. When
they come out of the water by this opening upon the surface of the ice,
the water they bring with them freezes about its margin, so that in time
the edges become elevated, and it looks like a well. If it should freeze
over, they travel to the south-west, till they can get at water, always
proceeding straight forward, even though they meet with mountains in
their way; and they return in the same direct line back again. The
hunters go with large poles, carefully approaching the creek seal till
they get near enough to fire at him before he is aware. The grey seal
is taken with a sort of hook or harpoon.
The seals are able to penetrate through the ice from beneath, lying on
their backs under water, be it ever so thick, but cannot make their way
into it from above.