THE SEA ELEPHANT. 



5 J 7 



southern hemisphere, and is spread through a considerable range of country. It is 

 extensively hunted for the sake of its skin and its oil, both of which are of very excellent 

 quality, and, from the enormous size of the animal, can be procured in large quantities. 

 It is not exclusively confined to the sea, but is also fond of haunting fresh-water lakes, or 

 swampy ground, as is depicted in the engraving. 



It is an emigrating animal, moving southwards as the summer comes on, and 

 northwards when the cold weather of the winter months would make its more southern 

 retreats unendurable. Their first emigration is generally made in the middle of June, 

 when the females become mothers, and remain in charge of their nurseries for nearly two 

 months. During this time the males are said to form a cordon between their mates and 

 the sea, in order to prevent them from deserting their young charges. At the expira- 

 tion of this time, the males relax their supervision, and the whole family luxuriates together 

 in the sea, where the mothers soon regain their lost condition. They then seek the shore 

 afresh,and occupy themselves in settling their matrimonial alliances,which are understood 

 on the principle that the strongest shall make his choice among the opposite sex, and that 

 the weakest may take those that are rejected by his conquerors, or none at all, as the 

 case may be. 



SEA ELEPHANT.-jWori//J#a proboscldsa. 



During the season of courtship the males fight desperately with each other, inflicting 

 fearful wounds with their tusk-like teeth, while the females remain aloof, as quiet 

 spectators of the combat. They are polygamous animals, each male being lord over 

 a considerable number of females, whom he rules with despotic sway. When the 

 victorious combatants have chosen their mates they are very careful about their safety, 

 and refuse to quit them if they should be in any danger. Knowing this fact, the Seal- 

 hunters always direct their attacks upon the females, being sure to capture the male 

 afterwards. If they were to kill the male at first, his harem would immediately disperse 

 and fly in terror, but as long as he lives they will continue to crowd around him. 



Although these animals are of so great dimensions and bodily strength, and are 

 furnished with a very formidable set of teeth, they are not nearly such dangerous 

 antagonists as the walrus, and are most apathetic in their habits. When roused" from 



