PATAGONIAN SEA LION. 



227 



others of different species since shown at the Zoological Gardens, Brighton Aquarium, and elsewhere, 

 have manifested traits of brain-power of a superior kind. One feature has struck all, namely, its 

 voracity, twenty-five pounds of fish a day being barely more than short commons. If we estimate this 



SEA LION' DOZING ON HIS BACK. 



SEA LION FAST ASLEEP. 



amount to each individual, namely, an equivalent of 9, 000 pounds a year, and remember that there exist 

 colonies of these animals more than a million in number, the wonder arises that the finny tribe is not 

 exterminated in those spots inhabited by the Seals. 



SEA LION CLIMBING. 



SEA LION IN WATCHFUL ATTITUDE. 



The success accompanying the above animal's exhibition led to the Zoological Society's sending 

 Lecomte to the Falklands to procure more. Although he obtained a number, most met mishaps and 

 died before reaching London. His account of their habits and nature corroborates the earlier 



SEA LION LICKING HIS LEG. 



SEA LION SCRATCHING WITH HIND FOOT. 



observers. According to him, families range from six to twenty, a dozen being the average, while a 

 herd would be composed of several families. Located hi the islands and isthmuses, an old male guards 

 as sentinel, and signals, by a growl, approaching danger. Between sleeping and procuring food they 



