Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SEAL, n.¹ [Sax. seol, sele, syle; Sw. siäl.]

The common name for the species of the genus Phoca. These animals are amphibious, most of them inhabiting the sea coasts, particularly in the higher latitudes. They have six cutting teeth in the upper jaw, and four in the lower. Their hind feet are placed at the extremity of the body, in the same direction with it, and serve the purpose of a caudal fin; the fore feet are also adapted for swimming, and furnished each with five claws; the external ears are either very small or wanting. There are numerous species; as the leonina, sometimes 18 feet in length, and the jubata, sometimes 25 feet in length, with a mane like a lion, both called sea-lion, and found in the southern seas, and also in the N. Pacific; the ursina, or sea-bear, 8 or 9 feet in length, and covered with long thick and bristly hair, found in the N. Pacific; and the common seal [P. vitulina,] from four to six feet in length, found generally throughout the Atlantic and the seas and bays communicating with it, covered with short, stiff, glossy hair, with a smooth head without external ears, and with the fore legs deeply immersed in the skin. Seals are much sought after for their skins and fur. – Ed. Encyc. Encyc.