THE PUPS. 105 



He further stated that he did not think they coukl Biith on kelp 



beds impossible. 



Hve continually in the water if born in it.^ 



When the pups are from four to six weeks old Poddmg. 

 they gather together on the breeding grounds 

 into groups called "pods."^ This act is called 

 ''podding." The "pods" by degrees work their 

 way down to the water's edge and the pups begin 

 to make use of their flippers.^ Prior to this time 

 the flijDpers have been used entirely for locomo- 

 tion on land. 



The pup's manner of locomotion has been, L^fomotiou on 



^ ^ laud. 



variously described as being similar to that of 

 the pup of a Newfoundland dog* or of a young 

 kitten.^ The difference between the modes of 

 locomotion of the pup and of the older seals is 

 well stated by Mr. J. H. Moulton. He says 

 "that it (the pnp) uses its hind flippers as feet, 

 runnino- on them in much the same manner as 

 other land animals, while a seal that has learned 

 to swim drags his hind flippers, using his front 

 flippers to pull himself along.^ 



1 British Blue Book, U. S. No. 3 (1892), C-6635,p. 184. 



2 Eeport of Americau Bering Sea Commissioners, 2^ost, p. 327; 

 J. Stanley Brown, Vol. II, p. 16; H. H. Mclntyre, Vol. 11, p. 41; 

 Charles Bryant, Vol. II, p. 5; H. W. Mclntyre, Vol. II, p. 136; 

 J. C. Eedpath, Vol. II, p. 148. 



^ J. Stanley Brown, Vol. II, p. 16; H. H. Mclntyre, Vol. II, 

 p. 41; Cliarles Bryant, Vol. II, p. 5. 

 ■• J. Stanley Brown, Vol. II, ji. 15. 

 ' Samuel Falconer, Vol. II, i> 164. 

 6 Vol. II, p. 72. 



2716 14 



