THE CAPE SBALION 



83 



commerce, fetching about 25s. each on the London 

 market. 



The Zoo has possessed eight of these animals, living 

 for nearly three years in this altitude, and in fresh water. 

 They were fairly intelligent, coming when called, or at 

 feeding time, jumping out of the water and clambering 



Fig. 26. — Cape Sealions. 



up a rockery to dive off for their fish. Their speed in the 

 water was wonderful to see, and as their tank is 100 feet 

 long they could develop a good spurt. During the heat 

 of the day they would lie on the water only half sub- 

 merged, with the body in a peculiarly curved attitude, 

 not making a movement, except to blink an eye or scratch 

 themselves. They had voracious appetites, and would 

 swallow 10 lb. of fish each, when given them, and then 



