84 SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



look for more. When we lost the last two through an 

 accident the one overbalanced itself from the top of 

 the rockery, falling backwards and striking its head on 

 the rocks at the edge of the water they were only about 

 three-quarters grown, so I presume full-grown animals 

 would easily devour 20 Ib. of fish per diem, if it was 

 given to them. 



Family PHOCID^E. 

 True or Earless Seals. 



The chief external character which distinguishes the 

 members of this family from the eared Seals and Walruses, 

 is the backwardly directed nature of the hind limbs, being 

 more like a paddle or rudder. There is no external ear, 

 and the front limbs are smaller than the hind ones, and 

 have well developed claws. The under surfaces of the 

 feet are covered with fur. 



Macrorhinus leoninus. Elephant Seal or Sea Elephant. 

 Zee-Olifant. 



This Seal, which is the largest of the pinniped 

 carnivora, takes its trivial name from" the proboscis-like 

 appendage on the nose of the male, which can be expanded 

 at the will of the animal. The teeth are small, and the 

 cheek teeth are of simple structure. There are no claws 

 on the hind feet. 



The colour is grey, with a blackish tinge, and is darker 

 above than below ; fur coarse and short. Length from 

 15 to 20 feet (males), 9 to 10 feet (females). 



This seal formerly inhabited the islands of the South 

 Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, but is becoming 

 scarcer and more restricted in range, owing to constant 



