Aquatic Mammals 247 



localities acquire webbed feet, and this 

 has actually come to pass in the case 

 of these animals. The bones of their 

 hands are four times the length of any 

 terrestrial animal, and the strong elastic 

 webs joining the digits have completed 

 them as most efficient paddles. Add to 

 this the dense layer of fat to give warmth 

 and buoyancy and the tough skin covered 

 with dense hair impervious to damp, 

 large eyes, nostrils placed high up on the 

 nose, and one has a creature perfectly 

 equipped to enjoy a " life on the rolling 

 waves." Seals and sea-lions are fast 

 joining the great majority. The warm 

 pelts of their furs, not to mention the 

 abundant oil which they supply and 

 their tasty flesh, have led to terrible 

 ravages on the part of man. The story 

 of seal hunting and the bitter rivalry be- 

 tween the Seal Companies, makes un- 

 pleasant reading. These animals are 

 chiefly restricted to the colder seas, where 



