Observations on the seal-fishery of the Colony, and some of the physiological peculiarities of seals, with remarks on Dyer’s Islands, &c.

Abstract

This article presents the field observations of Mr Johnstone Jardine on the commercial and natural history aspects of the seal-fishery off the Cape Colony, following a visit to Dyer's Islands near L'Agullas.

Jardine first highlights the commercial value of the trade, noting that American vessels successfully harvest thousands of seal skins annually, which are highly valued for barter in the Chinese market, suggesting its potential profitability for Cape merchants.

The bulk of the paper details observations made during a sealing trip to Dyer's Little Island, the seals' primary rendezvous point. Contrary to some scientific opinions, the author and the sealers found the seals' sense of smelling to be highly acute (allowing them to detect weak odours), while their vision on land appeared defective—a possible result of the thin transparent veil covering the pupil, adapted for water. The sealers prioritised silence due to the seals' sensitive hearing and were highly concerned about wind direction due to their acute sense of smell.

The account vividly describes the seal hunt, noting the seals' apparent high sagacity (exhibited by a "venerable looking male" leading the group) and their fierce defence. Physiologically, the seals demonstrated a remarkable tenacity to life (persistence of "vivific principle" even after skinning and presumed fatal blows), and their mode of locomotion on land was faster than some Naturalists described, utilising their fore-flippers and their muscular tail-lobes for propulsion. The author concludes by emphasising the profound gaps in scientific knowledge regarding seals, echoing the words of Cuvier, and urging the South African Institution to conduct further detailed research.