126 THE SEA ELEPHANT, 
Another powerful and grotesque Seal now engages our attention. This 
‘is the ELEPHANT SEAL, or SEA ELEPHANT, so called not only on account 
of the strange prolongation of the nose, which bears some analogy to the 
proboscis of the elephant, but also on account of its elephantine size. Large 
specimens of this monstrous Seal measure as much as thirty feet in length, 
and fifteen or eighteen feet in circumference at the largest part of their bodies. 
The colour of the Sea Elephant is ather variable, even in individuals of 
the same sex and age, but is generally as follows. The fur of the male is 
usually of a blueish grey, which sometimes deepens into dark brown, while 
that of the female is darker, and variegated with sundry dapplings of a yellow 
hue. This animal is an inhabitant of the southern hemisphere, and is spread 
through a considerable range of country. It is extensively hunted for the 
sake of its skin and its oil, both of which are of very excellent quality, and, 
from the enormous size of the animal, can be procured in large quantities. 
It is not exclusively confined to the sea, but is also fond of haunting fresh- 
water lakes or swampy ground. 
It is an emigrating animal, moving southwards as the summer comes on, 
and northwards when the cold weather of the winter months would make its 
more southern retreats unendurable, 
Their first emigration is generally 
made in the middle of June, when 
the females become mothers, and 
remain in charge of their nurseries 
for nearly two months. During 
this time the males are said to form 
a cordon between their mates and 
the sea, in order to prevent them 
from deserting their young charges. 
At the expiration of this time, the 
males relax their supervision, and 
the whole family luxuriates together 
in the sea, where the mothers soon 
regain their Jost condition. They 
then seek the shore afresh, and 
SEA ELEPHANT, —(uidorunya proboscidea.) occupy themselves in settling their 
matrimonial alliances, which are 
understood on the principle that the strongest shall make his choice among 
the opposite sex, and that the weakest may take those that are rejected 
by his conquerors, or none at all, as the case may be. ; 
During the season of courtship the males fight desperately with each other, 
inflicting fearful wounds with their tusk-like teeth, while the females remain 
aloof, as quiet spectators of the combat. They are polygamous animals, 
each male being lord over a cansiderable number of females, whom he rules 
with despotic sway. When the victorious combatants have chosen their 
mates they are very caretul about their safety, and refuse to quit them if they 
should be in any danger. Knowing this fact, the seal-hunters always direct 
their attacks upon the females, being sure to capture the male afterwards. If 
they were to kill the male at first, his harem would immediately disperse and 
fly in terror, but as long as he lives they will continue to crowd round him. 
Although these animals are of so great dimensions and bodily strength, and 
are furnished with a very formidable set of teeth, they are not nearly such 
dangerous antagonists as the walrus, and are most apathetic in their habits. 
‘When roused from sleep they open their mouths in a threatening manner, but 
do not seem to think of using their teeth, and if they find that their disturb: rs 
do not run away, they take that office upon themselves, and move off deliber- 
