300 ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS CALIF 3RNIAN SEA LION. 



This is easily accoinplislied with an experienced crew, if there 

 is sufficieut ground back from the beach for the animals to re- 

 treat. During our stay, an instance occurred, which not only 

 displayed the sagacity of the animals, but also their yielding- 

 disposition, when hard pressed in certain situations, as if nat- 

 urally designed to be slain in numbers equal to the demands of 

 their human pursuers. On the south of Santa Barbara Island 

 was a plateau, elevated less than a hundred feet above the sea, 

 stretching to the brink of a clift' that overhung the shore, and 

 a narrow gorge leading up from the beach, through which the 

 animals crowded to their favorite resting-place. As the sun 

 dipped behind the hills, fifty to a hundred males would congre- 

 gate upon the spot, and there remain until the boats were low- 

 ered in the morning, when immediately the whole herd Avould 

 quietly slip off into the sea and gambol about during the day, 

 returning as they saw the boats again leave the island for the 

 ship. Several unsuccessful attempts had been made to take 

 them ; but at last a fresh breeze commenced blowing directly 

 from the shore, and prevented their scenting the hunters, who 

 landed some distance from the rookery, then cautiously ad- 

 vanced, and suddenly yelling, and flourishing muskets, clubs, 

 and lances, rushed up within a few yards of them, while the 

 pleading creatures, with lolling tongues and glaring eyes, were 

 (piite overcome with dismay, and remained nearly motionless. 

 At last, two overgrown males broke through the line formed 

 by the men, but they paid the i)enalty with their lives before 

 reaching the water. A few moments passed, when all hands 

 moved slowly toward the rookery, which as slowly retreated. 

 This maneuvre is termed ' turning them,' and, when once accom- 

 l)lished, the disheartened creatures appear to abandon all hope 

 of escape, and resign themselves to their fate. The herd at 

 this time numbered seventy-five, which were soon dispatched, 

 by shooting tlie largest ones, and clubbing and lancing the 

 others, save one young Sea Lion, which was spared to see 

 whether he would make any resistance by being driven over 

 the hills beyond. The poor creature only moved along through 

 the prickly i)ears that covered the ground, when compelled by 

 his cruel i)ursuers ; and, at last, with an imploring look and 

 writhing in pain, it held out its fin-like arms, which were pierced 

 with thorns, in such a manner as to touch the sympathy of the 

 barbarous sealers, who instantly put the sufferer out of its mis- 

 ery by a stroke of a heavy club. As soon as the animal is 



