G4 BULLETIN OF THE 



respect to the size of the male are sufficient to show that in this respect, 

 as well as in general external features, the O.jubata differs markedly in 

 no way from the Eumetopias Stelleri, although they differ widely in the 

 form of the skull and in dentition. 



Geographical Distribution. — According to Steller, this species ex- 

 isted in his time along nearly the whole eastern coast of Kamtchatka 

 and southwards to the Kurile Islands. He also met with it on Behring's 

 Island and on the American coast. Both Captain Bryant and Mr. Dall 

 report it as abundant at the Pribyloff Islands, and it has been received 

 by Dr. Gray, and also, as Dr. Gill informs me, at the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution, from California. The sea lions of the Farallone Islands and 

 other parts of the California coast, especially those that have of late 

 attracted so much attention in the harbor of San Francisco, are proba- 

 bly the present species. The E. Stel/eri hence doubtless ranges along 

 the American coast, in greater or less abundance, from California to 

 Behring's Strait, and down the Asiatic coast to the Kurile Islands. 



Habits. — The habits of this species have not yet been minutely 

 described. Steller gave a very full account of those of the sea bear 

 (Cattorkinus ursinus), and remarked that, with some few exceptions 

 (which lie specifies), those of the sea lion closely resemble those of that 

 animal. Captain Bryant has also been far more minute in his account 

 of the sea bear; but in the subjoined notes respecting the sea lion he 

 presents interesting information regarding the latter species. The 

 Plates of Choris (Nos. XI V r and XV of the chapter on the Aleutian 

 Islands) doubtless give a very good idea of the appearance of these 

 animals and the sea bears when assembled on the land. lb' has also 

 contributed a few interesting facts concerning their habits. The follow- 

 ing are tin' remarks of Captain Bryant: — 



"The sea lion visits St. Paul's Island in considerable numbers to 

 rear its young. It is one of the largest of the seal family, the male 

 frequently measuring thirteen feet in length, ami weighing from fifteen 

 to eighteen hundred pounds. It- habits are the same as those of the 

 fur seal. When roused to anger it has a very- marked resemblance, 

 through the form of its bead and neck, to the animal from which it is 

 named, and its voice, when roaring, can be heard to a great distance. 

 Its body is thickly covered with fine, short, dark [?] In-own hair, without 

 any fur. It- skin is of considerable value as an article of commerce in 

 the territory, it being used in making all kinds of boats, from a one-man 



