118 MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 
irregularities. The time of gestation is supposed to be about three -fourths of the 
year. The most marked season we could discover was that of the adult males, 
which shed their coats later than the younger ones and the females. Still, among 
a herd of the largest of those fully matured (at Santa Barbara Island, in June, 
1852), we found several cows and their young, the latter apparently but a few 
days old. 
When the Sea Elephants come on shore for the purpose of "shedding," if not 
disturbed they remain out of water until the old hair falls off. By the time this 
change comes about, the animal is supposed to lose half its fat ; indeed, it some- 
times becomes very thin, and is then called a "slim -skin." 
In the stomach of the Sea Elephant a few pebbles are found, which has given 
rise to the saying that "they take in ballast before going down" (returning to the 
sea). On warm and sunny days we have watched them come up singly on smooth 
beaches, and burrow in the dry sand, throwing over their backs the loose particles 
that collect about their fore limbs, and nearly covering themselves from view ; but 
when not disturbed, the animals follow their gregarious propensity, and collect in 
large herds. 
The mode of capturing them is thus : the sailors get between the herd and 
the water ; then, raising all possible noise by shouting, and at the same time flour- 
ishing clubs, guns, and lances, the party advance slowly toward the rookery, when 
Club and Lance used in the Capture of the Sea Elephant. 
the animals will retreat, appearing in a state of great alarm. Occasionally an over- 
grown male will give battle, or attempt to escape; but a musket- ball through the 
brain dispatches it ; or some one checks its progress by thrusting a lance into the 
roof of its mouth, which causes it to settle on its haunches, when two men with 
heavy oaken clubs give the creature repeated blows about the head, until it is 
stunned or killed. After securing those that are disposed to show resistance, the 
party rush on the main body. The onslaught creates such a panic among these 
peculiar creatures, that, losing all control of their actions, they climb, roll, and 
tumble over each other, when prevented from farther retreat by the projecting 
cliffs. We recollect in one instance, where sixty -five were captured, that several 
were found showing no signs of having been either clubbed or lanced, but were 
