208 CARNIVORA. 



a speculation from Europe advisable on their account ; 

 certainly not for the China market, the Seals being 

 mostly of the hair kind, and the fur of others as were 

 seen was red and coarse," 



In the Investigator's group, page 125 : " The 

 beaches were frequented by Seals of the hair kind. A 

 family of them, consisting of a male, four or five 

 females, and as many cubs, was lying asleep at every 

 two or three hundred yards. Their security was such 

 that I approached several of these families very closely ; 

 and retired without disturbing their domestic tran- 

 quillity, or being perceived by them." 



(Page 184) : " One of the sailors having attacked a 

 large Seal incautiously, received a very severe bite in 

 the leg, and was laid up." 



(Page 89) : " In Goose Island Bay a few Hair Seals 

 may be procured, probably at all times." 



MACQUAEIE ISLAND SEAL. 

 Otaria hookeri. 



Very little is known of the Macquarie Island Fur Seal, 

 which appears to be now almost extinct, although it was 

 at one time very numerous. In 1811, 80,000 were 

 killed in Campbell's and Macquarie Islands, but in 1887, 

 only 179 skins were imported. A few of this species 

 still inhabit Campbell's, Macquarie, Ross, and Auckland 

 Islands, the last named being still visited by sealers. 



A cargo of these skins arrived in London in a rotten 

 state, on account of want of salt, and they had to be dug 

 out of the hold, and sold for manure. 



Three fine specimens of this species have lately been 



