112 MAMMALIA. 



in size from 2 metres 25 centimetres to 3 metres 25 centimetres. 

 It is one of the most dntelligent. M. Boitard , says that he saw 

 one, which had been in captivity for two years, and which, let 

 loose in ponds and even in large rivers, came to its master when 

 called. 



The Capucin Seal [FIwom cristata, Gmel.), of about 2 J metres 

 in length, is thus named because it has on its head, in the adult 

 state, a sort of movable bag or hood, with which it covers its 

 muzzle when it chooses ; it can also distend its nostrils in such 

 a manner as to give them the appearance of a bladder. It is 

 found in the waters of North America and of Greenland. 



The Sea-lion (Otaria jtihafa, Grray) is generally 4 metres ia 

 length, but sometimes measures 8, according to Permetty. 

 The male has a thick mane on his neck, which hangs over his 

 shoulders, and from which he derives his name. This Seal inhabits 

 Kamtschatka, the Aleutian and Kurile Islands, and the coasts of 

 California. 



The Sea- wolf,* or P/;og«e TJrigne {Phoca ?7j'ffMifl5, Less.), is pecu- 

 liar to the coasts of Chili. The inhabitants of this country turn its 

 skin to a singular use. They hermetically close all the openings 

 in it, then distend it with air, and, placing many of these floating 

 bodies side by side, they arrange above them cross-bars of wood, 

 covered over with reeds or straw ; the whole forming a raft, which 

 is exceedingly buoyant. 



Not far from Chili, in the archipelago adjoiaing the Straits of 

 Magellan, is found the Sea-elephant, or Plioque-a-irompe {Phoca 

 ]3roboscidea, Desm.), the largest of all the Seals. It is as much as 

 from 8 to 10 metres in length, by 5 to 6 in circumference. In 

 the male, the nose is prolonged into a sort of trunk, membranous, 

 erectile, from 40 to 50 centimetres in length, and which serves 

 him for warding oif the blows aimed at his nose. This species 

 supplies an enormous quantity of oil ; the weight of its flesh 

 alone is a thousand kilogrammes.f This enormous amphibious 

 animal is very indolent, when it is on land it allows itself to be 

 easily approached and massacred. 



The Sea-bear is common in the latitudes of Kamtschatka. Its 

 size varies from 1 metre 25 centimetres to 2 metres. Its 

 brownish fur is very fine, very soft, and very highly valued iu 

 * Otarif Giiirin of Quoy and Gaimard. — Ed. f 2,250 lbs. 



