252 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Depth of fat Lethargic disposition. 



appear like fins. The general colour of the hair 

 is ferruginous. 



Their fat is so considerable, as to lie ten or 

 twelve inches deep between the skin and the 

 flesh. Hence, when they are in motion, they 

 appear almost like immense skins filled with oil ; 

 the tremulous motion of the blubber being plainly 

 discernible beneath the surface. They have also 

 so much blood, that, if deeply wounded in a do- 

 zen places, it will gush out at every one, and 

 spout to a considerable distance. Their usual 

 voice is a kind of loud grunting, or sometimes a 

 snorting, like that of a horse in full vigour. 



They are of a lethargic disposition, and when 

 at rest, they are not easily disturbed. Their 

 time seems pretty equally divided between the 

 land and sea ; as they continue out during the 

 summer, and come on shore at the commence^ 

 ment of winter. They feed on the grass and 

 verdure which grows on the banks of the fresh- 

 water streams; and when not employed in feed- 

 ing, they sleep in herds, in the most miry places 

 they can find. Each herd seems to be under the 

 direction of a large male; which manners ludi-r 

 crously stile the bashaw, from his driving of the 

 other males from a number of females which he 

 appropriates to himself. These bashaws, how- 

 ever, do not arrive at this envied superiority with- 

 out many fierce and sanguinary conflicts, of 

 which their numerous scars generally bear evi- 

 dence. Some of Lord Anson's party observed. 



