LIOIST 199 



a thousand pounds in weight, is yellowish-brown in colour 

 with shaded darker patches. There is a distinct mane upon 

 the neck, which, with its upright posture, combines to give 

 the creature its supposed leonine appearance. The males 

 are fierce in aspect, and if hard pressed will turn and show 

 fight. Old animals bellow like bulls ;Jhe younger ones 

 bleat like sheep. They bolt their fish without mastication. 

 The female is only about half the dimensions of the male, 

 and is considerably lighter in colour. The animal is one 

 of the hair seals, useful only for its hide, flesh, and fat. To 

 the Aleutian islander it is as useful as is the walrus to the 

 Eskimo, and there is scarcely any part of the body that is 



SKELETON OF THE SEA LION (WALKING ATTITUDE). 



not of service. At one time the catch was forty thousand 

 per annum. The Sea Lion frequents the same breeding- 

 grounds as the fur seals, though the animals keep strictly 

 apart ; and an account of a fur seal rookery will, in its 

 main features, apply equally well to the habits of the 

 larger animal. 



The Patagonian Sea Lion (Otaria jubata) formerly existed 

 in immense numbers. It is chiefly interesting on account 

 of its being one of this species that was first brought to 

 England. Probably this animal is more energetic than its 

 northern cousin, for it often hunts in packs, catching not 

 only fishes and squids, but also preying upon the slow- 

 going penguin. 



