28o DISCOVERY REPORTS 



These adult colour variations are constant in the individual which shows them ; when 

 the animal is moulting the new coat is a replica of its predecessor with a change to 

 a distinctly colder tone. The colour of the new coat gradually becomes warmer as 

 time passes. 



The variations in colour described above do not become noticeable until the animals 

 are adult, but there are slight variations in colour among the sub-adult females. 



The newly born pups are practically black, but this fades somewhat and a chocolate 

 tinge appears, while the colour is often paler on the breast. After the first moult, 

 which happens when the animal is a few months old, the colour is a very dark grizzled 

 grey with a slight greenish cast. This coat becomes much paler and reddish during 

 the first year; in the second and third years the young of both sexes are a tolerably 

 bright reddish brown, but the females tend to have a paler region on the back of 

 the neck. 



After the third year the males become darker and more definitely brown, while the 

 females become colder, more grey, in colour. 



The annual moult begins in the autumn and continues for a considerable time: as 

 a rule the pups and cows shed before the bulls do so. All the sea Uons do not moult 

 simultaneously, and specimens may be found in the moulting condition from April 

 to August. The coat is shed first on the face, then in the following order: neck, flanks, 

 rump and finally on the back. 



As has been indicated the colour of the new coat is the same as that of its predecessor 

 (in the adult), but it has a definitely colder tone which gives an almost bluish cast; 

 this gradually disappears until by the time summer has returned the coat has regained 

 its warm tone. The contrast in tone between the two coats is so marked that on the 

 paler seal, when they are partly shed, the old coat shows in rusty patches. 



The vibrissae are long, strong and mobile, reaching a length of a foot in the adult 

 male ; but the fine tip is often broken oflF. The number on each side is about thirty and 

 the colour usually dull straw, so that they form a pale moustache which is a noticeable 

 character of the species. There is, however, some variation in the actual colour of the 

 bristles. The musculature of the vibrissae is well developed and they are easily erected. 

 When the mouth is opened they rotate downwards and forwards so as to screen the 

 open sides of the gape, a screening which must be of use when the sea lion is pursuing 

 small prey such as Miinida. When at rest the "moustache" lies flat against the sides 

 of the upper jaw, drooping slightly towards the ends of the bristles. The bare parts of 

 the skin are all almost black. 



It is difiicult but not impossible to distinguish between the younger immature males 

 and the females of corresponding size. The female is slighter in build and has a rather 

 more pup-like head and she is often paler about the head and neck. In the fourth 

 year the males begin noticeably to develop the massive head and lower jaw characters 

 of their sex, while the female retains throughout life much of her youthful appearance. 

 The mane is not developed until the animal is becoming adult. 



The voice of the adult male is deep, powerful and slightly husky. It is produced 



