Zoology.] 



NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. 



[Mammalia. 



The bull's voice or noise is j^uttural, and, when angry, sounds something- like 

 " ooug-h oough ;" the noise is much heavier than any animal I know. When trying- 

 to pacify tlie cows it sounds like '' yah yah," said quick and short. The noise of the 

 cow is very much like a cow of the bovine species. The pup bleats like a lamb. 



Their sig-ht is not so g-ood, so it is g-enerally said. I think, myself, their sight 

 g-ood enoug-h, but they not smelling- man don't think he will harm them ; when 

 they g-et the least scent they are off like a shot. 



During- the pupping- season they keep up an incessant noise during- the nig-ht, 

 and g-enerally keep quiet during the day. They look clumsy and awkward on the 

 rocks, but they are very lively when on the move. 



I consider them as quick in their movements as any fish that swims. They 

 strike at one another with the rapidity of lig'htning-. I have seen one bull prevent 

 another from landing for several hours. They move along by drawing- the hinder 

 part of the body forward and under, and then giving- a jump and push forward. 



If they are disturbed before they pup, they will leave the rock and go to another. 



The cow has six teats, I think, which they draw into the udder or body when 

 not suckling their young. The milk is very white and strengthening. Should a 

 cow die or be killed, her pup is suckled by the other cows. This I am told is the 

 case, but I can't vouch for it. All I write is my experience on the Seal Rocks, off 

 " The Nobbies," at Phillip Island, Victoria. 



I can't say whether they inhabit these rocks all the year or not, but don't think 

 so. I have heard Ross say they do not. 



As regards their habits, lur, ears, &c., &c., the only diflFerence being in the colour; 

 some are darker than others. 



They are found along- the coast, as far as I know, from Phillip Island to Wilson's 

 Promontory. Nearly all the islands in Bass's Straits are inhabited by seals. 



I know of no other fur or eared seal ; in fact there is no other seal about here. 



(Signed) 



George Ardill, 

 Mounted Constable. 



The large bull above referred to, although 7 ft. 9 ins. long, had 

 tlie epiphyses of the liml) bones quite loose, as if young ; the 

 skull bones were, however, much more powerfully crested than in 

 those previously described in Decade IV. 



The following are the detailed measurements 



Length from tip of snout to extremity of tail 



„ from tip of snout to edge of lip 



„ from tip of snout to occiput 



„ from tip of snout to edge of front of pectoral 



„ between eyes across forehead 



„ from tip of snout to eye 



„ from tip of snout to ear 



„ of pectoral 



„ of ear 



), 01 tail ... ... ... ... 



„ of hind fin 

 Greatest width of hind fin... 

 Length of Whiskers 

 Girth in front of shoulder ... 



[ 1^> ] 



