200 



CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



beaches in preference to sandy beaches or rocky islets. They are 

 said to be monogamous. The young are born, in May and June. 

 Captain Scammon, tO' whom we are indebted for nearly all our 

 information about this species, says that the sound made by them 

 when alarmed resembled the lo\\'ing of an ox, but was more 

 prolonged. 



California Elephant Seal. 



They were large and easily obtained, and produced a con- 

 siderable amount of oil, two hundred gallons sometimes being 

 obtained from a single individual. Therefore they were much 

 sought after in the period succeeding the discovery of gold im 

 California, previous to the general use of coal oil. In this period 

 vessels were freighted with tlieir oil, and in consequence of this 

 reckless slaughter the species was practically exterminated in n 

 few years. The CalifoTnia Elephant Seals while formerly abun- 

 dant locally, were few compared with the enormous numbers of 

 the Southern Elephant Seals that were foimd on islands of the 

 Antarctic Ocean when these were discovered. 



