THE BULLS. Ill 



under tlie most favorable circumstances. Un- Ceition. 

 doubtedly the sea otter, whose habit of pehigic 

 coition is well known, has often been mistaken 

 for the fur-seal, which has resulted in many 

 believing- that the latter copulate in the water.^ 

 ]\Ir. Falconer, although he does not affirm that 

 the act of reproduction is impossible in the water, 

 states that he does not believe it could be effect- 

 ual, and that it would be most unnatural.^ Dr. 

 Allen, in considering this question, after giving 

 an account of the jealous guardianship of the 

 bull over his harem, says: "If parturition and 

 copulation could occur in the sea, the exercise of 

 any such tyrannical jurisdiction of the males 

 over the females would be impossible, and the 

 seraglio system, so well established, not only in 

 the case of this species, but in all its allies, 

 would not be the one striking feature in the 

 sexual economy of the whole eared-seal family, 

 wherever its representatives are found." ^ 



During the entire rutting season, which lasts for Fasting, 

 at least three months, the l^ulls remain constantly 

 upon the breeding grounds, never leaving their 

 positions, and never eating or drinking, and 

 sleeping very little.* 



1 Article by Dr. Allen, Part III, Vol. I, p. 407; J. Stanley Blown, 

 Vol. II, p. 15. 

 ■' Vol. II, p. 165. 



3 Article by Dr. Allen, Part III, Vol. I, p. 407. 

 * T, F, Moi'san, Vol. II, p. 63; Charles Bryant, Vol. II, p. 6. 



