THE FUR SEAL. 331 



III.-GENUS ARCTOCEPHALUS. 



The seals of this genus are usually divided into three species, but 

 there is considerable difference of opinion as to how far subdivision 

 should go. The name Arctocephalus is formed from two Greek words, 

 and means " Bear-head." All the species are Fur Seals, and of great 

 commercial value. 



The Cape Fur Seal, Arctocephalus Antarcticus, is found near the Cape 

 of Good Hope. Gray gives the following descriptions in his " British 

 Museum Hand-book": "(i.) Adult male, slight mane, called 'Large wig;' 

 fur whitish, under-fur reddish. (2.) Adult without mane, called ' Mid- 

 dling;' fur reddish-white, under-fur reddish. (3.) Young, called ' Black- 

 pup;' fur black and polished, under-fur brown and very thin." 



The Southern Fur Seal, Arctocephalus tiigrescens, is found at the 

 Falkland Islands. It is the Arctocephalus Falklandicus of Allen, and is 

 peculiar to America. 



The Australian Fur Seal, Arctocephalus cinereus, is black, with an 

 abundant reddish-brown under-fur. 



The chief distinction on which classifiers rely for this distribution 

 into species, is the position of the fifth grinder in the upper jaw. The 

 Southern Fur Seal is the only one of importance in a commercial point 

 of view. It is remarkable for the closeness and elasticity of its short 

 and even fur, which can be worn without removing the long hairs. 

 When these, however, have to be removed, it is done by shaving the 

 fleshy side of the skin till the deep roots of the long hairs are severed, 

 when the hairs fall out. 



IV.-GENUS ZALOPHUS. 



The chief representative of this genus, of which tivo species are 

 known, is 



The California Hair Seal, Zalophus Gillcspii, which is found in the 

 North Pacific and on the coasts of Japan and California. The under-fur 

 is very thin. Gray communicates the interesting fact that a line drawn 

 across the palate at the front edge of the zygomatic arch leaves one-third 

 of the palate behind the line. 



