416 



THE SEA LION. 



There are about twelve miles of sea-coast occupied by Fur Seals on St. Paul's Island, 

 with an average width of fifteen rods. Allowing twenty Seals to a square rod, the number of 

 breeding Seals are computed at the enormous figure of one million one hundred and fifty -two 

 thousand. Deducting one-tenth for males, leaves one million thirty-seven thousand eight 

 hundred. The value of the skins at the trading posts is ten cents per skin, the company 

 finding bins and salt. Previous to 1866 the skins were worth three dollars each. Soon after 

 the territory was transferred to the United States the skins were worth seven dollars each ; 

 and this advance was owing to the fashion for the fur, which then commenced to reign. 



SEA LION. - Otaria jubata. 



The Sea Lion, of Kamtschatka and the Kurile Islands, is of less gigantic proportions than 

 the sea elephant, measuring about fifteen feet in length, and weighing about sixteen hundred 

 pounds. The color of the male Sea Lion is a reddish-brown, which becomes paler after the 

 animal is advanced in years. Upon the neck and shoulders is a heavy mass of stiff, curly, 

 crisp hair, which bears some resemblance to the mane of the lion, and has earned for the 

 creature the name of Sea Lion. The female is destitute of this mane, and her fur is some- 

 times chestnut and sometimes ochry-brown. 



It is not exclusively confined to the localities above mentioned, but is sometimes seen off 

 the coast of Northern America, in the month of July. During the autumn the Sea Lions are 

 found in very great numbers upon the shores of Behring's Island, where they assemble for the 

 purpose of rearing their young through the first few weeks of their life. They are polyg- 

 amous, but restrict themselves to three or four females. 



They are naturally quiet and peaceable animals, permitting the approach of mankind with 

 great indifference, and suffering themselves to be roughly treated before they will condescend 

 to move from the spot on which they may happen to be lying. The hunters make easy prey 

 of these slothful animals, which are not so active as the elephant Seal, nor so fierce as the wal- 

 rus. The females seem to be more apathetic respecting tlieir cubs than is generally the case 



