OTARIIDJE', 



OR, EARED SEALS. 



'HE family Otarrida', Eared Seals, are distinguished by having an external ear. 

 The arms and legs are much more developed, and resemble more those of land 

 quadrupeds. Especially is this the case with the hind legs. In the Common 

 Seals the hind legs we have seen are "flippers," directed backwards for swim- 

 ming ; those of the present Seals are articulated so that the limb is capable of 

 being used in walking (after a homely fashion), as well as in swimming. The 

 fore-feet are fin-like, but large, and quite useful in walking. The present group 

 of Seals are, then, a shade higher in rank or development in the direction of the land quad- 

 rupeds, or mammals. Eared Seals are characterized by their under fur, an article now well 

 known, and of immense commercial importance. 



It is a curious circumstance that the young of these Seals have to be taught to swim. The 

 young are brought forth far inland. 



The Sea Lion and Sea Bear are represented by grand specimens in the Central Park 

 Museum, both male, female, and young. 



Capt. Bryant spent some time on the island of St. Paul, making some very intelligent 

 records of the habits of these animals. About the first of April, when the snow is cleared 

 away, and the drift-ice has passed, a few old males, of the Sea Bear species, are seen recon- 

 noitering the locality, and after two or three days' inspection venture on shore to examine the 

 rookeries, as they are called. After a few days other "bears" begin to arrive, the first having 

 departed to give intelligence that all is right. The old males appropriate the spaces they 

 require for ten or twelve females each. Capt. Bryant gives some most extraordinary state- 

 ments respecting the treatment of the females. He says : "As soon as the female reaches the 

 shore, the nearest male goes down to meet her, meanwhile making a noise like the clucking 

 of a hen. He bows and coaxes her, and when he has gotten himself between her and the water, 

 alters his tone, and growls lustily at her, and drives her into his harem." He says the males 

 teach the young to swim. 



The Fur Seals, according to Capt. Scammon, U. S. Revenue Marine Service, differ con- 

 siderably in habits from the other forms. They range from the highest navigable latitudes to 

 the equator. 



On the coast of Chili their numbers were so great in 1798 that the American ship Betsey 

 procured a full cargo of skins. It was estimated there were left on the island, which is not over 

 twenty -five miles in circumference, at least 500,000 Seals. Subsequently there were taken but 

 little short of a million skins. This fishery was almost exclusively under the American flag. 



The capture of Fur Seals is accomplished by driving herds some distance inland. The 

 more valued young or middle-aged are selected, and driven by parties making all the noise 

 they can, on tin implements, and by the opening and shutting of umbrellas. 



After resting a while the animals are killed by a sharp blow upon the nose, which part 

 we have seen is especially tender and vulnerable, though in other respects they are quite 

 tenacious of life. Besides the valued skins, each Seal yields a gallon and a half of oil. The 

 linings of the throat are saved and salted, as an article of trade to other ports, being used by 

 the natives to make water-proof cloaks. 



The skins are salted and packed in square bins, where they lie about forty days ; they are 

 then taken out, the salt removed, and a small quantity of clean salt sprinkled upon them, 

 when they are folded, flesh-side in, and packed for commerce. 



