146 MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 
equal to the best mutton, if properly cooked. Notwithstanding, after repeated 
trials, we confess our preference for the latter. The hearts and livers of young 
seals, whether of the Fur or Hair species, are excellent ; hut we would advise those 
fond of fresh meat not to witness the killing of the animals and the extraction of 
those choice portions of them. The employes of the Russian -American Company 
frequently salted seal meat for ship's use, when a supply of beef could not be 
obtained. 
The habits of the Fur Seals differ in several respects from those of the numerous 
Hair species. One of their most remarkable traits is their extended geographical 
range. To give a clear idea of their varied haunts as regards climate and diversity 
of locality, we may mention the following as among their favorite resorting - places : 
The coast of Patagonia, west coast of Africa, Falklands, New South Shetlands, South 
Georgia, southern coast of Chile, island of Masafuero, Lobos Islands (on the coast 
of Peru), Galapagos Islands (off the coast of Ecuador), the islands of Desolation, 
Crozets, and St. Paul's in the Indian Ocean, and St. Paul and St. George islands 
(Behring Sea), and Robin and Jonas islands in the Okhotsk Sea. Thus it will be 
seen that these curious animals are inhabitants of the antipodes of the globe, and 
bask in a tropical sun as well as endure the rigors of the icy regions of the Arctic 
and Antarctic. 
Some idea may be had of their numbers in former years, when on the island 
of Masafuero, on the coast of Chile — -which is not over twenty- five miles in circum- 
ference — the American ship Betsey, under the command of Captain Fanning, in the 
year 1798,* obtained a full cargo of choice skins. It was estimated at the time 
* At the present day, when the American him also was the project first discussed, of fit- 
ships that double Cape Horn, and the Cape of ting out a suitable vessel, which should proceed 
Good Hope, are magnificent types of naval arch- to the South Seas, there to procure a cargo of 
itecture compared with those of the early voy- Fur Seal skins, and with this cargo thence to 
ages, a reminiscent note, relative to the Betsey, cross the Pacific for the Canton market, where 
her owners, commander, and ship's company, the article was well ascertained to be greatly in 
is of peculiar interest, as portraying the char- demand, and held at prices that furnished good 
acter of all those who, at that period, entered grounds upon which to hope that a very hand- 
so practically yet enthusiastically into commer- some profit would be realized. Another great 
cial pursuits. "In the early part of the month inducement held out in favor of the attempt, 
of May, 1797," writes Captain Fanning, "it was was the probability that Captain Whetten him- 
the good fortune of the author to meet at New self, in the Ontario, would be at Canton at 
York with Captain John Whetten, a gentleman about the period of the arrival there (which 
distinguished as an able navigator, and at the would be in our fall part of the year, say the 
time in command of the ship Ontario, in the month of September, October, or November) of 
China trade. With him originated, and with any vessel shortly fitted out. The intimate knowl- 
