130 MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 
No. 1. No. 2. 
From tip of nose to corner of mouth 3J 2 
From end of under jaw to corner of mouth Q 2 
From tip of nose to eye 3 If 
From tip of nose to-ear 6 4 
Length of ear 1J 
Thickness of blubber Of 0| 
In the first example, the whiskers on each side of the face numbered thirty- 
five and thirty -six; length of the longest whisker, four and three - eighths of an 
inch. The color of the second example was black above, a little lighter below, 
with scattering hairs of light brown or dull white. It had three rudimentary claws 
on each pectoral ; and five claws on posterior flippers, two of which were rudiment- 
ary. Weight of animals, respectively, eighty and ten and a half pounds. 
We give also several zincographic illustrations, which may afford a better idea 
of the different forms of the animals in varied attitudes, as well as their facial 
expression when sleeping, waking, and when in a state of excitement, which is 
manifested by howling or roaring. . 
Both males and females have a double coating of fat or blubber, lying between 
the skin and the flesh of the body. These coatings are separated by a thin layer 
of muscular tissue. The fat yields the oil of commerce, although inferior in quality 
to that of the Sea Elephant. The young pups, or whelps, are of a slate or black 
color, and the yearlings of a chestnut brown. An erroneous impression gener- 
ally prevails relative to the size of the Sea Lion, which is considered, by many, 
to be of mammoth proportions. And, when describing the larger species of mam- 
malia found in the vast ocean, there is a manifest propensity to magnify them 
until transformed into huge monsters, like the whale of the ancient voyagers, which 
"wore nine hundred foot long," or that distinguished specimen of the seal family, 
honored with the name of "Ben Butler," who, with his troop, holds possession of 
Seal Rock, off the cliffs of San Francisco, and that has been estimated at the great 
weight of two thousand pounds. 
The habits of the Sea Lion exhibit many striking features. It not only dwells 
near the Arctic and Antarctic latitudes, but it basks upon the glittering sands 
under an equatorial sun. On approaching an island, or point, occupied by a num- 
erous herd, one first hears their long, plaintive howlings, as if in distress ; but, 
when near them, the sounds become more varied, and deafening. The old males 
roar so loudly as to drown the noise of the heaviest surf among the rocks and 
caverns; and the younger of both sexes, together with the " clapmatches," croak 
hoarsely, or send forth sounds like the bleating of sheep or the barking of dogs ; 
