174 CARNIVORA. 



island it swarmed with Sea-Elephants, Whales and Fur- 

 Seals. On this becoming known, it soon became a 

 favourite cruising ground for those engaged in the 

 ' trade.' This led, in an incredibly short space of time, 

 to the reduction of all these species to a mere remnant ; 

 and in a few years their utter extinction is sure to 

 follow, for it can hardly be expected to be otherwise. 

 The men, engaged in such arduous avocations as they 

 are in these wild and inhospitable regions, must be 

 expected to make all they can ; and they care for none 

 who come after them, but kill old and young as they fall 

 across them in their cruises." 



This Seal is said to have increased, when Kerguelen 

 Land was recently visited by H.M.S. Wolcerine. 



SAN LOUIS FUE SEAL. 

 Otaria gazcUa. 



The San Louis Fur Seal inhabits Marion, Prince 

 Edward, and St. Paul's Islands. It is very similar to 

 the foregoing, and, in fact, nearly identical with it, and 

 might be grouped with it. It is of the same yellowish 

 hue, but the fur is not quite so rich in quality, and it is 

 not quite so thick on the sides. The whiskers are 

 white, thick, and strong. 



The skins are imported in limited quantities of about 

 200 to 300, and were worth about 40s. to 60s. in 1884. 

 They arrive in indifferent condition, on account of their 

 bad preservation, being placed in the casks in an inferior 

 large-grained salt. 



These skins were brought to France a few years ago 

 by French vessels, but the importer died a few years 



