346 CALLORHINUS URSINUS NORTHERN FUR SEAL. 



and lifts together the hinder lirnbs to a fit position under its 

 body for another movement forward, by which the spine is 

 again straightened out so as to take a fresh hitch up on the 

 posteriors. This is the leisurely and natural movement on land 

 when not disturbed, the body being carried clear of the ground. 



"The radical difference in the form and action of the hinder 

 feet cannot fail to strike the eye at once. They are one-seventh 

 longer and very much lighter and more slender ; they, too, are 

 merged in the body like those anterior ; nothing can be seen of 

 the legs above the tarsal joint 



"Now, as we look at this fur seal's progression, that which 

 seems most odd is the gingerly manner (if I may be allowed to 

 use the expression) in which it carries these hind flippers. 

 They are held out at right angles from the body directly oppo- 

 site the pelvis, the toe-ends and flaps slightly waving and curl- 

 ing or drooping over, supported daintily, as it were, above the 

 earth, only suffering its weight behind to fall upon the heels, 

 which are opposed to each other scarcely five inches apart. 



" We shall, as we see him again later in the season, have to 

 notice a different mode of progression, both when lording it 

 over his harem or when he grows shy and restless at the end 

 of the breeding-season, and now proceed to notice him in the 

 order of his arrival and that of his family, his behavior during 

 the long period of fasting and unceasing activity and vigilance 

 and other cares which devolve upon him, as the most eminent 

 of all polygamists in the brute world ; and to fully comprehend 

 this exceedingly interesting animal, it will be necessary to refer 

 to my drawings and paintings made from it and its haunts. [*] 



" The adult males are first to arrive in the spring on the 

 ground deserted by all classes the preceding year. 



"Between the 1st and 5th of May, usually, a few bulls will 

 be found scattered over the rookeries pretty close to the water. 

 They are at this time quite shy and sensitive, not yet being 

 satisfied with the land, and a great many spend day after day 

 before coming ashore idly swimming out among the breakers a 

 little distance from the land, to which they seem somewhat 

 reluctant at first to repair. The first arrivals are not always 

 the oldest bulls, but may be said to be the finest and most am- 

 bitious of their class. They are full grown and able to hold 

 their stations on the rocks, which they immediately take up after 

 coming ashore. 



[* See Mr. Elliott's " Report on the Prybilov Group, or Fur Seal Islands, of 

 Alaska," especially the plates already mentioned at p. 340. ] 



