654 MR. J. W. CLARK ON EARED SEALS. [ Dec. 7, 
On the same voyage, immediately after casting anchor in Dusky 
Bay (at the south-east corner of the Middle [South] Island of New 
Zealand) on March 26, 1773, he records the presence of Seals on 
some rocks in the harbour, laid down in his chart as “‘ Seal Isles.” 
“Some of the gentlemen killed a seal (out of many that were 
upon a rock), which made us a fresh meal”? *. 
April 2.—‘‘In our way, we touched at the seal-rock, and killed 
three seals, one of which afforded us much sport” (p. 73). 
May 10.—‘‘ Went out in the boats to the rocks, which lie at this 
entrance of the bay, to kill seals. The weather was rather un- 
favourable for this sport, and the sea ran high, so as to make landing 
difficult ; we, however, killed ten; but could only wait to bring away 
five, with which we returned on board” (p. 91). 
Again, “The only amphibious animals are seals. These are to 
be found in great numbers about this bay, on the small rocks ame 
isles near the sea-coast’”’ (p. 96). 
The explorations of Captain Cook were succeeded in the years 
1795-99 by those of George Bass, surgeon of the ‘ Reliance,’ and 
Matthew Flinders, then a midshipman. ‘They surveyed the coast of 
Australia south of Port Jackson, and discovered the strait separating 
Australia from Van Dieman’s Land,—sometimes independently, and 
sometimes together. 
Bass found the rocks of Cape-Barren Island, off the north coast of 
Tasmania, “covered with fur-seals of great beauty. This species of 
seal seemed to approach nearest to that named by naturalists the 
Falkland-Island Seal’’ +. 
Again, of one of the islands off the “ Patriarchs,”’ not far distant 
from the above, after describing the land portioned out among 
the birds, we read, ‘‘the rest was appropriated to the seals, who 
seemed to be the lords of the domain. Mr. Bass remarked with sur- 
prise, that though the principal herd scampered off like sheep, as is 
usual on the first approach, yet the males, who possessed a rock to 
themselves, where they sat surrounded by their numerous wives and 
progeny, on his drawing near them, hobbled up with a menacing 
roar, and fairly commenced the attack, while the wives seemed to 
rest their security upon the superior courage and address of their 
lord; for instead of retreating into the water in the utmost conster- 
nation, they only raised themselves upon their fore fins, as if ready 
for march, keeping their eye upon him, and watching the movements 
of his enemy. 
% * * # * 
‘* The seal appeared to branch off into various species. He did not 
recollect to have seen them precisely alike upon any two islands in the 
Strait. Most of them were of that kind called by the sealers Hair- 
seals ; but they differed in the shape of the body, or of the head, 
the situation of the fore fins, the colour, and very commonly in the 
voice, as if each island spoke a peculiar language ”’ {. 
“ Voyage towards the South Pole, &c., 4th ed., vol. i. p. 68. : 
t+ ‘An account of the English Colony i in New South wae &e.,’ by Lieut. 
Col. Collins (2 vols. 4to, London, 1802), i. p: 158. 
t Ibid. p. 192. 
