THE SEA LION. 
125 
We are acquainted, however, with only two genera,* one of which (Otaria jubata) 
inhabits the coast of South America, and the other (Uumetopias Stelleri) we have 
met with between the tropical lines of the Pacific, from the Galapagos Islands — 
which are situated about the equator — northward on the west coast of North 
America nearly to Behring Strait, and westward to the Island of Saghalien on the 
coast of eastern Siberia. The first- named genus has a short, rounded head, prom- 
inent above the eyes, and a shaggy mane, which imparts a resemblance to the king 
of beasts ; hence the appropriate name, Sea Lion, which was given it when first 
described. 
The Eumetopias Stelleri is of more symmetrical proportions than the Otaria 
jubata, and very nearly resembles the Fur Seal, more particularly the males ; and, 
* Since the publication of the article "About 
Sea Lions," in the Overland Monthly of Septem- 
ber, 1871, we have had opportunity of making 
additional observations upon these animals at 
the Farallone Islands, where we saw the largest 
females we have ever met with on the California 
coast. Hence, what we have formerly taken to 
be the Eumatopias Stelleri may prove to be the 
Zalophus Gillespii?; but, if such be the fact, both 
species inhabit the coast of California, at least 
as far south as the Parallones. Moreover, both 
species, if we may be allowed the expression, 
herd together in the same rookeries. On mak- 
ing a series of observations upon the outward 
forms of Sea Lions, it will be found that a 
confusing variety exists in the figures of these 
very interesting animals, especially in the shape 
of the head : some having a short muzzle, with 
a full forehead ; others with forehead and nose 
somewhat elongated ; and still others of a mod- 
ified shape, between the two extremes. 
Within the past five years, several observers 
have assured me that the Sea Lions of the 
north, particularly those of St. Paul's Island, 
Behring Sea, were much larger than those on 
the coast of California; but this information 
proves to be incorrect, for the same observers, 
after visiting the island a second time, and in- 
vestigating the matter more thoroughly, have 
arrived at the conclusion that the male Sea 
Lions there found will rarely exceed eleven feet 
in extreme length ; while on the coast of Cali- 
fornia, animals of that length are frequently 
met with, and, as before stated, there is no 
lack of cases where the animals have reached 
the length of twelve feet, and an instance is 
known, as stated by Professor Davidson, of the 
U. S. Coast Survey, where the specimen meas- 
ured fifteen feet from tip to tip. In any event, 
there is no further question about the northern 
Sea Lions exceeding in size the Sea Lions of 
California, as those inhabiting the last-named 
region are at least fully equal in magnitude to 
their congeners of the north. The accompany- 
ing figures may convey a better idea of their 
forms than a written description. 
Doubts have been expressed as to the mi- 
gratory habits of the Sea Lion ; but we are fully 
convinced that there are individuals, at least, 
among all the northern herds, that change from 
the cold latitudes to the tropics, as we have 
killed several of the animals upon the southern 
coast of California, during the month of June, 
in which were found arrow or spear heads, such 
as are used by the northern sea -coast natives. 
Professor Davidson states that in June, 1870, a 
spear -head, such as is used by the natives of 
Alaska, was found in a large male Sea Lion, 
taken at Point Arenas, in latitude 39°, on the 
coast of California. 
