THE SEALS 



179 



It is hunted by the natives for the bhibber and skin, 

 while the tusks are highly vahied as ivory, or to be made 

 into various objects. The skull 

 is very solid (Fig. 172), a pon- 

 derous brace for the powerful 

 tusks. 



One of the most interesting 

 animals of this group is the sea 

 elephant, a huge seal, twenty feet 

 in length. It is now confined to 

 the Antarctic islands, where it is 

 hunted for its oil, and is destined to 

 extermination in the near future. 

 A characteristic feature is the short proboscis, calling to 

 mind the trunk of an elephant, which becomes inflated 

 when the animal is enraged. Up to 1859 these animals 

 were common at Santa Catalina Island, a large herd living 

 at what is called the Isthmus. The last ones were de- 

 stroyed in that year by Captain Scammon and his crew. 



Fig. 172. — Skull of a 

 Walrus. 



