BULLETIN OF THE 67 



they approach to effect a landing, the head only appears decid< <\\y 

 above water. This is their familiar element, and they swim with 

 great speed and ease, quite unmindful of the heavy surf and of the 

 breakers on the ledges. In landing, they are apt to take advantage of 

 a heavy wave, which helps them to get the forward flippers on terra 

 jirma. As the wave retreats, they begin to struggle up the steep 

 rocks, twisting the body from side to side, with a clumsy worm-like 

 motion, and thus alternately work their flippers into positions where 

 they may force the body a little onward. At such times they have a 

 general appearance of sprawling over the ground. It is quite astonish- 

 ing to see how they will go up surfaces having even a greater inclina- 

 tion than 45°, and where a man would have to creep with much exer- 

 tion. When the surface is nearly horizontal, they go faster, and often 

 proceed by gathering their hind-quarters under them, raising themselves 

 on the edges of their fore-limbs and then giving a push, whereby they 

 make a sort of tumble forwards. In their onward path they are ac- 

 companied by the loud barking of all the seals they pass; and these 

 cries may be heard a great distance. Having arrived at a good bask- 

 ng-place, they stretch themselves out in various attitudes, — often on 

 the side, sometimes nearly on the back, but commonly on the belly, 

 with the flippers somewhat extended. They seem much oppressed 

 with their own weight (which is usually supported by the water), and 

 it seemed an. exertion for them even to raise the head, though it is 

 often kept up for a long time. They play among themselves contin- 

 ually by rolling on each other and feigning to bite. Often, too, they 

 will amuse themselves by pushing off those that are trying to land. 

 All this is done in a very cumbrous manner, and is accompanied by 

 incessant barking. As they issue from the water, their fur is dark 

 and shining ; but, as it dries, it becomes of a yellowish brown. Then 

 they appear to feel either too dry or too hot, for they move to the 

 nearest point from which they may tumble into the sea. I saw many 

 roll off a ledge at lea-t twenty feet high, and fall, like so many huge 

 brown sacks, into the water, dashing up showers of spray." 



From the accounts given by various observers, the sea lions evi- 

 dently move with much less facility on land than do the fur seals. 

 Captain Bryant states that the fur seals may be driven at the rate of a 

 mile and a half per hour, whde he asserts that the sea lions can be 

 driven with safety only about two miles a day. 



