REPORT OF AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS. 319 



Convention, for us to submit in this, our separate Necessity of a 



separate report. 



report, a tolerably full discussion of tlie whole 

 question, as we view it from the standpoint re- 

 ferred to above as being the only method of 

 treatment which insures entire independence of 

 thought or penults a logical interpretation of the 

 facts. 



In order that this discussion may be more 

 readily understood it is thought desirable to pre- 

 face it by a brief account of the natural history 

 of the fur-seal. 



THE BERING SEA FUR-SEAL. 

 Callorhmus ursimis (Linuoeus). 



The carnivorous mammals are divided by^^^^ 

 naturalists into two principal groups, one com- 

 prising the terrestrial wolves, cats, weasels, and 

 bears; the other, the amphibious eared-seals and 

 walruses, and the aquatic seals. The second divi- 

 sion (suborder Pinnipedia) is in turn sub-divided 

 into three groups called ftimilies, namely, the 

 eared-seals, comprising the sea-lions and sea- 

 bears, or fur-seals (Otariidce), the walruses 

 (Odohenidce), and the true seals (Pliocidm). The 

 fur-seals and sea-lions form the connecting link 

 between the terrestrial carnivores and the trne 

 seals, as recognized by all naturalists. The dis- 

 tinguished director of the British Museum, Pro- 



Divis ions of 

 uumals. 



