k she would as readily take orders from you in
regard to other tricks. She is young and learns readily. If you like, I
can let you take an old bathing suit, and you can go into the tank now,
if you have time."

"Oh, yes, we have time enough, now that I have a motor-cycle at my
disposal," Joe answered. "I believe I would like to see how Lizzie will
behave."

The seal shot out on to a small platform near the edge of the tank, her
body glistening wet. Again she cried in that peculiar way, which is
best represented by the word "Hook!", sometimes with the "h" silent.

"More fish, that's what she's asking for," said the trainer. "Here you
are, Lizzie." He held up one from the pail. The seal flipped her way
over to him, and with a snap of her jaws bit the fish cleanly in two
pieces with her sharp teeth.

"Whew!" whistled Joe. "She can bite, can't she? I hope she doesn't take
a notion to do that to my leg."

"She's as gentle as a baby," declared Mr. Blossom. "Look!"

He called the seal to him, and put his hand in her mouth. She nuzzled
him as a pet horse might do, but made not the slightest effort to bite.

"I think you would be safe," said the trainer to Joe. "There isn't a
gentler sea-lion in the world, and I've handled a good many of them."

"Is this a sea-lion?" asked Joe. "I thought they were those big animals
with long tusks."

"You're thinking of walruses," said Mr. Blossom. "Lizzie really is a
sea-lion, though it is easier for me to call her a seal, since nine out
of ten persons do so. Few know the difference between a seal and a
sea-lion. The latter, of which Lizzie is a specimen, have flat front
flippers, without hair and triangular in shape. They use their flippers
almost as well as we do our hands, and you can see what an aid they are
in swimming. The sea-lions have long necks, and carry their heads well
up. There are nine species of them, and the so-called 'fur seal' is
one. Sea-lions are mostly used in acts such as mine, and shown in
zoological parks, for they are active, easy to keep and, you might say,
cheerful.

"On the other hand, the seals have short stubby front flippers,
provided with claws and covered with hair. Seals haven't half the power
in their front flippers that sea-lions have, and, as a result, the
seals are much less active and interesting. Seals have very short
necks, in comparison with sea-lions.

"I tell you this," said Mr. Blossom to Joe, "so you can answer
questions if any one i