350 CALLORHINUS URSINUS NORTHERN FUR SEAL. 



over rocks, over the grassy hummocks back of the rookery, the 

 hind flippers being gathered up after every second step for- 

 ward, as described in the manner of walking; these fore feet 

 are the propelling power when in water, almost exclusively, the 

 hinder ones being used as rudders chiefly. 



" The covering to the body is composed of two coats, one be- 

 ing of short, crisp, glistening over-hair, and the other a close, 

 soft, elastic pelage, or fur, which gives distinctive value to the 

 pelt. 



"At this season of first l hauling up ' in the spring, the pre- 

 vailing color of the bulls, after they dry off and have been ex- 

 posed to the weather, is a dark, dull brown, with a sprinkling 

 of lighter brown-black, and a number of hoary or frosted-gray 

 coats ; on the shoulders the over-hair is either a gray or rufous- 

 ocher, called the 'wig;' these colors are most intense upon 

 the back of the head, neck, and spine, being lighter underneath. 

 The skin of the muzzle and flippers, a dark bluish black, fading 

 to a reddish and purplish tint in some. The ears and tail are 

 also similar in tint to the body, being in the case of the former 

 a trifle lighter; the ears on a bull fur-seal are from an inch to 

 an inch and a half in length ; the pavilions tightly rolled up on 

 themselves so that they are similar in shape and size to the lit- 

 tle finger on the human hand, cut off at the second (phalangeal) 

 joint, a shade more cone-shaped, for they are greater in diame- 

 ter at the base than at the tip. 



" I think it probable that the animal has and exerts the power 

 of compressing or dilating this scroll-like pavilion to its ear, 

 accordingly as it dives deep or rises in the water ; and also, I 

 am quite sure that the hair-seal has this control over the meatus 

 externus, from what I have seen of it; but I have not been able 

 to verify it in either case by observation ; but such opportunity 

 as I have had, gives me undoubted proof of the greatest keen- 

 ness in hearing ; for it is impossible to approach one, even when 

 sound asleep ; if you make any noise, frequently no matter how 

 slight, the alarm will be given instantly by the insignificant- 

 looking auditors, and the animal, rising up with a single motion 

 erect, gives you a stare of astonishment, and at this season of 

 defiance, together with incessant surly roaring, growling, and 

 ' spitting.' 



" This spitting, as I call it, is by no means a fair or full expres- 

 sion of the most characteristic sound and action, peculiar, so 

 far as I have observed, to the fur-seals, the bulls in particular. 



