OCEANIC MAMMALS 459 



pack ice." It is known to feed principally on cuttlefish, but 

 remains of fish and small shrimps (Euphausia) have also been 

 found in stomachs. It is said to be very agile in the water so 

 that Trouessart believes it is for this reason safe from attacks 

 of the killer whale. Possibly, too, its habit of staying in the 

 pack ice offers further immunity. 



According to Barrett-Hamilton (1901) the Belgica expedi- 

 tion found these seals fairly numerous in the pack ice. The diet 

 of cuttlefish seems as in certain cetaceans to lead to a weakened 

 or degenerate dentition. 



While at present its peculiar habitat renders it comparatively 

 safe from human interference, so that it is not in need of im- 

 mediate protection, it may nevertheless be regarded as a rare 

 seal and possibly a waning species. 



NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL 



MlROUNGA ANGUSTIROSTRIS (Gill) 



Macrorhinus angustirostris Gill, Proc. Essex Inst., vol. 5, p. 13, 1866 (St. Bartholo- 

 mews Bay, Lower California, Mexico, lat. 27 40' N.). 



FIGS.: Allen, J. A., 1880, figs. 57-60 (skull); Elliot, 1904, pt. 2, pis. 62-66 (skull, photo- 

 graphs); Nelson, 1916, p. 434 (col. fi|.); Huey, 1924, pis. 24-27 (photographs); 

 Beebe, 1942, pis. 3, 4 (photographs). 



The northern elephant seal, or "sea-elephant," much re- 

 sembles its southern relative, M. leonina, but is perhaps some- 

 what smaller. Gill based the distinction mainly on the sup- 

 posed narrower and longer snout of the adult female. Adult 

 males reach a length of at least 14.5 feet, but apparently may 

 attain a larger size (Scammon, 1874, says the largest he ever 

 measured was 22 feet). The color is yellowish brown, but 

 youngish animals have a grayer appearance. When full 

 grown the males lose much of the hair of the throat, and the 

 skin becomes creased. The proboscis is somewhat inflatable. 

 Huey (1924) observed that in the process of shedding the hair 

 seasonally, large patches of cuticle may come away with it. 

 Females are smaller, about 9-10 feet, with very much less 

 development of the proboscis. 



The northern elephant seal was formerly found from the 

 vicinity of Point Reyes, Calif., southward along the coast to 

 about latitude 24 N., in the region of Cape Lazaro, Lower 

 California. Larger or smaller numbers were "at all times 

 found on shore upon their favorite beaches, which were about 



