SAOT) DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



that the true fur-seals, from which are ob- 

 tained, the soft sealskin jackets, are to be 

 found. These animals belong to a very differ- 

 ent family, often called sea-bears. They pos- 

 sess external ears, which are absent in the 

 hair-seal, and their hind feet, instead of being 

 permanently directed backwards as in the 

 hair-seal, can be turned forward for walking 

 purposes when on land. 



It is believed that these two groups of seals 

 have attained similar stations in life by two 

 independent paths. The fur-seals trace their 

 ancestry to bear-like animals, while the hair- 

 seals are thought to have come from an otter- 

 like animal. Both groups are of compara- 

 tively recent origin, and are found first in the 

 Eocene period. 



As the tide ebbs the seals repair to Ipswich 

 bar while it is still awash, and try to maintain 

 their position against the battering of the 

 waves. Occasionally one is caught broadside 

 and rolled over by the breakers, while unusu- 

 ally heavy seas may suddenly carry all the 

 herd into deeper water, where nothing but 

 their round dark heads are to be seen bobbing 

 about the submerged reef. How^ever, the tide 

 flows out rapidly, and one by one they man- 



162 



