74 WILD LIFE IX NEW ZEALAND. 



CHAPTER X. 



CARNIYORA SEALS. 



Tin: wild life of New Zealand includes member* of the marim- 

 Carnivora and of the Cetacea ; but these animals are known only 

 to the relatively few persons who "go down to the sea in ships, 

 that do business in great waters," and to some residents of 

 the sea-coast. I say " some residents " because too many who 

 live by the seaside know nothing of the wonders of the ocean. 



The marine Carnivora belong to the section Pinnipedia 

 literally "fin-footed" so termed because the limbs are modified 

 into flippers. 



When New Zealand was discovered by Kuropeans seals were 

 extraordinarily abundant on the coasts, but they shared the fate 

 of similar unprotected animals in other parts of the world. Their 

 fur and oil were valuable and were easily obtained, and the 

 animals were slaughtered so mercilessly that they were nearly ex- 

 terminated. Only one species, the fur-seal (Arctocephahu forst< //). 

 occurred commonly on the shores of the three main islands of New 

 Zealand, though the sea-leopard (Ogmorhinu* leptonya) was an 

 occasional visitor. As these animals are now protected, a few 

 stray ones still come inshore, but they are somewhat rare visitors. 



Before referring at length to the fur-seal 1 may with advantage 

 quote what Sir James Hector had to say about other speeies in a 

 report he prepared for the Minister .if Marine in 18J)'J. He si 

 that the hair-seal, or sea-lion (Eumetopias hooker i), used to take up 

 i at ion on the west coast of the South Island about December. 

 The animals are polygamous, and the males are enormously l;n 

 than the females. The males arrive first. "Soon afterwards the 

 cow seals appear, and on landing give birth to the young, each 

 male securing a harem of ten to twenty cows, and protecting the 

 mothers and youm_r pups. The rutting season is in January, after 

 which the mal.-s (or lion*) leave the mothers to briiiL' up tin- young 



