Note: Seals inhabit seacoasts, and are found principally in
the higher latitudes of both hemispheres. There are
numerous species, bearing such popular names as {sea
lion}, {sea leopard}, {sea bear}, or {ursine seal},
{fur seal}, and {sea elephant}. The bearded seal
({Erignathus barbatus}), the hooded seal ({Cystophora
crustata}), and the ringed seal ({Phoca f[oe]tida}),
are northern species. See also {Eared seal}, {Harp
seal}, and {Fur seal}, under {Eared}, {Harp}, {Monk},
and {Fur}. Seals are much hunted for their skins and
fur, and also for their oil, which in some species is
very abundant.
{Harbor seal} (Zo["o]l.), the common seal ({Phoca vitulina}).
It inhabits both the North Atlantic and the North Pacific
Ocean, and often ascends rivers; -- called also {marbled
seal}, {native seal}, {river seal}, {bay seal}, {land
seal}, {sea calf}, {sea cat}, {sea dog}, {dotard},
{ranger}, {selchie}, {tangfish}.
2. That which separates or arranges; specifically, a sieve.
[Obs.] ``The tamis ranger.'' --Holland.
3. A dog that beats the ground in search of game.
4. One of a body of mounted troops, formerly armed with short
muskets, who range over the country, and often fight on
foot.
5. The keeper of a public park or forest; formerly, a sworn
officer of a forest, appointed by the king's letters
patent, whose business was to walk through the forest,
recover beasts that had strayed beyond its limits, watch
the deer, present trespasses to the next court held for
the forest, etc. [Eng.]