82 NATURAL HISTOEY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



bluish-black, fading in tbe older examples to a reddish and purplish tint. The color of the ears 

 and tail is similar to that of the body, being somewhat, if anything, a trifle lighter; the ears on a 

 bull Fur Seal are from one inch to an inch and a half in length ; the pavilions or auricles are tightly 

 rolled up on themselves, so that they are similar in shape to, and exactly the size of, the little linger 

 on the human hand, cut off at the second phalangeal joint, a trifle more cone-shaped, however, as 

 they are greater at the base than they are at the tip. They are haired and furred as the body is. 



I think it probable that this animal has and does exert the power of compressing or dilating 

 this scroll-like pavilion to its ear, just according as it dives deeper or rises in the water; and also, 

 I am quite sure that the Hair Seal has this control over the meatus externus, from what I have seen 

 of it. I have not been able to verify it in either case by actual observation ; yet such opportunity 

 as I have had gives me undoubted proof of the fact, that the hearing of the Fur Seal is wonderfully 

 keen and surpassingly acute. If you make any noise, no matter how slight, the alarm will be given 

 instantly by these insignih'cant-looking auditors, and the animal, rising up from deep sleep with a 

 single motion erect, gives you a stare of stupid astonishment, and at this season of defiance, 

 mingling it with incessant, surly roaring, growling, and "spitting." 



VOICE OF THE FUR SEAL. This spitting, as I call it, is by no means a fair or full expression 

 of the most characteristic sound or action peculiar, so far as I have observed, to the Fur Seals alone, 

 the bulls in particular. It is the usual prelude to all their combats, and it is their signal of aston- 

 ishment. It follows somewhat in this way: when the two disputants are nearly within reaching 

 or striking distance, they make a number of feints or false passes, as fencing-masters do, at one 

 another, with the mouth wide open, lifting the lips or snarling so as to exhibit the glistening teeth. 

 and with each pass of the head and neck they expel the air so violently through the larynx, as 

 to make a rapid choo-choo-choo sound, like steaui-pnffs as they escape from the smoke-stack of a 

 locomotive when it starts a heavy train, especially when the driving-wheels slip on the rail. 



All of the bulls have the power and frequent inclination to utter four distinct calls or notes. 

 This is not the case with the Sea Lion, 1 whose voice is confined to a single bass roar, or that of the 

 walrus, which is limited to a dull grunt, or that of the Hair Seal, 2 which is inaudible. This 

 volubility of the Fur Seal is decidedly characteristic and prominent; he utters a hoarse, resonant 

 roar, loud and long; he gives vent to a low, entirely different, gurgling growl ; he emits a chuckling, 

 sibilant, piping whistle, of which it is impossible to convey an adequate idea, for it must be heard 

 to be understood; and this spitting or choo sound just mentioned. The cows-' 1 have but one note 

 a hollow, prolonged, bla .i-ting call, addressed only to their pups; on all other occasions they are 

 usually silent. It is something strangely like the cry of a calf or an old sheep. They also make a 

 spitting sound or snort when suddenly disturbed a kind of a cough, as it were. The pups "blaat" 

 also, with little or no variation, their sound being somewhat weaker and hoarser than their mother's, 

 after birth; they, too, comically spit or cough when aroused suddenly from a nap or driven into a 

 corner, opening their little mouths like young birds in a nest, when at bay, backed up in some 

 crevice, or against some tussock. 



1 Eumetojrias Stelleri. 



2 1'linea ritnlina. 



"Without explanation, I may be considered as making lisa of paradoxical language by using those terms of 

 description; for the inconsistency of talking of "pups" with "cows," and "bulls,'' and "rookeries," on Ihr brccding- 

 grouuds of Ihe same, cannot fail to be noticed; but this nomenclature has been given and used by the An:crican iind 

 English whaling and sealing parties for many years, and iln> characteristic features of the Seals themselves so suit tint 

 naming, that I have felt satisfied to retain the style throughout as rendering my description more intelligible, especial! . 

 so to t lin-f- who are engaged in the business, or may be hereafter. The Russians are more consistent, but not so "pat"; 

 they call the bull "See-catch," a term implying strength, vigor, etc.; the cow, "Matkah," or mother; the pups, 

 "Kotickie," or little seals; the non-breeding males under six and seven years, "Holluschickie," or bachelors. The 

 name applied collectively to the Fur Seal by them is " Morskie-kot," or Sea Cat. 



