216 ELEPHANT SEAL. 



When the young are six or seven weeks old they 

 are conducted to the sea, the shores being aban- 

 doned for a time. The whole troop moves in con- 

 cert : at this time they all swim sufficiently gently, 

 and though they often disappear under water, yet 

 are they forced at short intervals to rise to the 

 surface for the purpose of respiration. When the 

 young wander away from the herd, they are imme- 

 diately pursued by some of the older ones, who, by 

 biting and otherwise, oblige them to return to the 

 group. 



After remaining three weeks or more at sea, to 

 familiarize the young with this element, and to re- 

 cruit their exhausted strength, the Sea Elephants 

 return a second time to the coasts, for the all im- 

 portant object of reproduction. It has been already 

 stated, that at the age of three years these animals 

 have acquired all their growth ; and it is then also 

 that the remarkable proboscis of the male is deve- 

 loped. Previous to this event he consorted with 

 the females ; and this appendage may therefore be 

 regarded as an index of virility. 



During the season of their amours, the harmony 

 of the community disappears, and is unknown dur- 

 ing this time of inebriation. Animated by a com- 

 mon passion, the males give themselves up to bloody 

 contest ; they fight with the greatest fury, but al- 

 ways in single combat ; and, as Steller remarks of a 

 congener, if two assail one, the others haste to the 

 help of the oppressed individual, indignant at the 

 foul play. Their mode of battle is very singular. 



