HABITS OF THE NORTHERN FUR SEALS, 221 



by foul means what lie cannot obtain by fair ; or some slippery partner, desirous of change, seeks to 

 escape the bondage of her lord. Then ensues internecine and domestic strife, in which all the neigh- 

 bouring males join, whenever there is a chance of capturing a coveted female. The poor wives suffer 

 equally with their spouses trampled, bitten, and dashed about. It results that he alone keeps who 

 has the power to withstand his numerous assailants. Some of the females may have the fortune 

 to get more comfortably settled than others, which are bandied from one location to another, until 

 most of the males obtain a few partners, the lucky ones in front securing and holding the greatest 

 number, those behind being obliged to content themselves with half-a-dozen or thereabouts. 



A few days only have elapsed, and matters settled down more quietly, when the females give 

 birth each to a single one. The little fellows soon find their voice a kind of bleat like a young 

 lamb's, begin paddling about, and then suckle. They gorge themselves heartily with the rich creamy 



SEAL FIGHT. 



milk. But, strange to say, the mother seems remarkably indifferent to her offspring ; and, if it stray 

 beyond the limits of the family group, it may be abducted by the other Seals for all that she cares. 



About this time, many of the old males who have successfully held their position become 

 exhausted, and now and again the less fortunate or single males behind, in stronger or fresher 

 condition, drive the former from their posts, and the latter take their places. There is no wonder 

 that exhaustion succeeds. Indeed, one of the most remarkable features in the history of these 

 Sea Lions is that for two months and more these heroic males, that arrived fat and plump from 

 their winter quarters, have held their positions on land against all comers, and this without tasting 

 food, water, or almost sleep during this period. It seems scarcely credible that animals incessantly on 

 the watch, excited and bearing the brunt of sanguinary contests, should be able to undergo starvation 

 under such circumstances. This fact is almost unique in natural history ; for, though hibernation for 

 long periods is common to the Bear, Hedgehog, &c., their winter sleep is accompanied by cessation of 

 all bodily exertion, and the functions of circulation, respiration, and digestion are comparatively at a 

 standstill. In truth, how this and other species of Otaria, for the habit is not limited to the Fur Seal, 

 endure such a lengthened abstinence, physiology fails to explain. 



While the families, in groups as afore mentioned, with their dominate lords, hold the favourite 



