Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 17.djvu/808

* SEAL. 732 SEAL. one moliir are present on each side of the head, in each jaw. The brain is hirge and much cun- vuluted, and seals exhibit much intelligence. The eyes are large and e.vposed, with Hat corneas, and e.ternal ears, though small, are often pres- ent. Although so specially adapted to their aquatic life, seals come to shore or upon ice-Hoes to mate and to bring forth their young. One or two young are produced at a time, not oftener than once a year. Seals are polygamous and the males fight savagely for the possession of the females. As the pairing occurs soon after the birth of the young, the latter, known as "pups," are often neglected and many die. During the bleeding season the males do not eat, and it is said they sometimes endure three months of abstinence. The food consists of various marine -r.--, - ■ o i-i v^ 1- -jr animals, chieflv fish, squids, and crustaceans; Oregon. Pennsylvania, South Carolina, ir- ^^^ji^, vegetable food is also used at times. , and West Virginia, a scroll executed with J-^ .^ ^ curious fact that seals often swallow arbitrary cuicacv to a sealed legal instrument as distinguished from one bearing merely a signa- ture. After feolVmeut as a ineaiis of transfer of land was abolished, all conveyances were re- quired lo be under seal. The most important ellcct ascribed lo the use of a seal was that it conclusively imported consideration for a promise or ol>ligation contained in a sealed instrument. However, today in the L'nitcd States the mat- ters of the necessity for a seal on various instru- ments and the kind of a seal re<niired when necessary are almost wholly regulated by statutes. In New York and Connecticut the word 'seal' or the Latin abbreviation 'L.S.,' writ- ten on the instrument, are recognized as sulli- cient substitutes for seals; and in Arkansas, Cali- fornia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, iIissouri, New Mexico, North Caro- lina, ginia a pen will be sufficient. In New Jersey, Min- ,,^,Jpg ,,,^^1 p^.p„ i^j^cre stones, which are fre- nesota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming any device or „^,y fo^^d ;„ their'stomachs, but the purpose nourish with the pen will be recognized as a seal j^ ^^^^^ clearly understood. They are regurgitated, if intended as such. In the following States the common-law dis- tinction between sealed and unsealed instruments has been abolished by statutes: Arkansas. Cali- fornia. North Dakota", South Dakota, Mississippi, Indiana. Kentucky, and Tennessee. It is not necessary for individuals to use seals in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Ne- braska, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, and Washington. Most States, however, require a seal on instru- ments executed by corporations. Public officer as are also the indigestible parts of the food, such as fish-bones and squids' beaks. Seals are large eaters, the remains of more than 200 squids having been found in a single fur-seal at one time, although digestion is very rapid. The food is masticated little or not at all, fishes being usually bolted head first. In the capture of their food, as in all their movements in the water, seals are quick and graceful. On land. however, their movements are awkward and pro- gression is chiefly eflFected by a succession oi ire usually required to have official seals and all Jerks caused by the upward bending and sudden important iniblic documents must be impressed straightening of the spine, which is remark lily with the i)roi)er seal. flexible, the limbs being little used by the true The courts will usually recognize without seals; the eared seals move mainly by the aid proof the seals of nations and of the various of the limbs. Food is not normally taken on States of the United States, the seals of superior i^nfi^ a^d ;„ pxirsuit of it seals are capable of courts and of public officers within their own State, including notarial seals. See Contract; Co^■.su)ERATIo^' ; Not.ry Public, and consult •■History and Use of Seals in England," in vol. xviii. of Archceoloyui (London); Blackstone, Commentaries : Parsons. On Contracts. SEAL (AS. seol, siol, OHG. selah. selach. seal). A carnivorous aquatic mammal of the suborder Pinnipedia, without tusk-like canines in the upper jaw; any pinniped except the wal- rus. Seals are specially modified for their remaining under water for long periods of time, respiration being very slow. As regards the intelligence of seals there seems to be considerable difference of opinion, accord- ing to the opportunities and point of view of the observer. In captivity some species of seal have shown considerable readiness to learn tricks of more or less difiiculty, and trained seals have often been exhibited. On the other hand, ob- servations made on the fur-seal in its native haunts seem to show that while the instincts are aquatic life, particularly in the structure of the strong, there is little' real intelligence, and or- limbs. The upper arm and forearm of the front dinarily stupidity is a marked characteristic. limb, and the two corresponding parts of the hind '^' ' ^ ^ '' " limb, are very short and more or less imbedded in the tissues of the body, while the hands and feet, especially the latter, are greatly enlarged and fully webbed. Five well-developed digits are present in all cases, but in the hind limbs the outer and inner digits are stouter and often longer than the other three. There are no clayi- The homing instinct is very strong in most seals, and they will return year after year to their breeding grounds, even though they are sure to meet with slaughter. Most species are also very gregarious, and in their herds- they constantly tend to imitate each other, so that they follow their leaders in a perfectly nnreasoning %vay. Seals are widely distributed in all parts of the eles in the shoulder girdle, and the limbs are oceanic world, but especially in the colder re- poorly adapted for use on land. The tail is al- gions. A few species occur in the tropics and ways very short, but the hind limbs often serve temperate regions, but it is in the Arctic and the purpose of a rudder. The body is sleek and graceful, tapering posteriorly as in cetaceans (q.v.). but the head is always distinct and well formed. The whole surface of the animal devel- ops a hairy covering, even the palms of the hands and soles of the feet being thus protected in the true seals. There are always fewer than twelve Antarctic parts of the ocean that seals really abound. There they swarm on rocky coasts and on ice-floes during the breeding season, and in the water during the rest of the year. Although seals are normally marine, two species inhabit the Caspian Sea and Lake Baikal. The classification of the seals and the limits of incisor teeth, and usually four premolars and only the species are still much debated subjects and