252 CAPE OTARY. 



and sociable. When disturbed they only think of 

 saving themselves in the sea, and never bite except 

 one put himself in their way : often, however, they 

 will pass between one's legs in their hurry, without 

 offering the slightest injury. They easily familiarize 

 themsf;lves with man. " I preserved," says Mr Pagis,* 

 "two of them for eight days. The first day I put 

 sea- water into their tub, one foot and a half deep, 

 b^t as they seemed anxious to avoid it, I tried fresh 

 water, which was not more agreeable; I therefore 

 left them dry afterwards. On coming out of the 

 water they shook their coats like dogs ; they sneezed, 

 too, like them, and scratched and cleaned themselves 

 with their snout, and lay down close together as 

 they do. When the sun shone I left them on the 

 ship's deck, and they never seemed to wish to re- 

 treat except when they saw the sea. Not only did 

 they scratch themselves and each other, but they 

 liked the men to do it, and followed them with 

 great familiarity, and smelt them as do dogs. They 

 had a great affection for each other, and when 

 separated immediately endeavoured to meet : if we 

 took up the one, the other certainly followed. When 

 fish, or bread soaked in water, was offered them, 

 they smelt it, but would not take it. They, there- 

 fore, did not thrive in their confinement, and were 

 thrown into the sea, where they seemed to be more 

 at home." 



We now proceed to the SEA BEARS. 



Apud Buffon, loc. cit. 



