THE CARNIVORA 371 



devotion to their offspring, and will expose themselves fearlessly 

 and defend their progeny to the death. 



The family Otariida, or Eared Seals, are distinguished by the 

 possession of a small scroll-like external ear, an appendage absent 

 in the seals generally. It is usual to speak of "Hair" Seals and 

 " Fur" Seals, the latter being the species producing the " sealskin " 

 of commerce. In the Fur Seals there is a dense, soft under-fur, 

 which is lacking in the Hair Seals. The Northern Fur Seal 

 (Otaria ursina) is the " Seal " of commerce, and its habits are 

 probably more accurately known than those of any other of the 

 Eared Seals. The males, when full grown, are between six and 

 seven feet long, the females rarely exceeding four and a half feet 

 in length. The male attains its full size about the sixth year, 

 but begins to breed at the fourth ; and the females bear their 

 first young when three years of age. 



In the spring of the year the adult males first arrive at the 

 breeding ground, or "rookery," as it is termed, and take up their 

 position, each animal taking possession of a piece of ground about 

 ten feet square, desperate fights occurring in its capture ; and 

 this warfare proceeds incessantly, for those next the water have 

 to resist all comers or be themselves forced farther inland. Mean- 

 time, from the beginning until almost the end of June, the pregnant 

 females make their appearance, at first in small numbers, until 

 the great mass arrive at the close of the month. Each male retains 

 his position as best he can, whilst some of the females hesitate 

 to land, calling out as if in search of some particular mate. The 

 males coaxingly strive to inveigle them ashore, and no sooner do 

 the females approach than they are laid hold of, and a general 

 fight among the whole " rookery " ensues. The quiet, un- 

 offending, small-sized females have a very rough time of it, getting 

 trampled on, bitten, and dashed about in the general excitement, 

 and striving for their possession. In the end, the strongest and 

 most powerful males may secure twelve or fifteen partners, but 

 to retain these wives is a serious business, necessitating strict 

 watch and ward practically night and day, for should the master 

 of the harem dare to doze for a few moments, his more wide- 

 awake neighbour in the rear will take advantage to obtain by 

 foul means what he cannot by fair. Finally, most of the males 

 succeed in obtaining a few partners, the lucky ones in front securing 



