118 MARINE MAM3IALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST 



irregularities. The time of gestation is supposed to be about three -fourths of the 

 year. The most marked season we could discover was that of the adult males, 

 which shed their coats later than the younger ones and the females. Still, among 

 a hei-d of the largest of those fully matured (at Santa Barbara Island, in June, 

 1852), we found several cows and their young, the latter apparently but a few 



days old. 



When the Sea Elephants come on shore for the purpose of "shedding," if not 

 disturbed they remain out of water until the old hair falls off. By the tiirie this 

 change comes about, the animal is supposed to lose half its fat ; indeed, it some- 

 times becomes very thin, and is then called a "slim- skin." 



In the stomach of the Sea Elephant a few pebbles are found, which has given 

 rise to the saying that "they take in ballast before going down" (returning to the 

 sea). On warm and sunny days we have watched them come up singly on smooth 

 beaches, and burrow in the dry sand, throwing over their backs the loose particles 

 that collect about their fore limbs, and nearly covering themselves from view ; but 

 when not disturbed, the animals follow their gregarious propensity, and collect in 

 large herds. 



The mode of capturing them is thus : the sailors get between the herd and 

 the water ; then, raising all possible noise by shouting, and at the same time flour- 

 ishing clubs, guns, and lances, the party advance slowly toward the rookery, when 



Club and Lance used in the Capture of the Sea Elephant. 



the animals will retreat, appearing in a state of great alarm. Occasionally an over- 

 grown male will give battle, or attempt to escape; but a musket -ball through the 

 brain dispatches it ; or some one checks its progress by thrusting a lance into the 

 roof of its mouth, which causes it to settle on its haunches, when two men with 

 heavy oaken clubs give the creature repeated blows about the head, until it is 

 stunned or killed. After securing those that are disposed to show resistance, the 

 party rush on the main body. The onslaught creates such a panic among these 

 peculiar creatures, that, losing all control of their actions, they climb, roll, and 

 tumble over each other, when prevented from farther retreat by the projecting 

 cliffs. We recollect in one instance, where sixty -five were captured, that several 

 were found showing no signs of having been either clubbed or lanced, but were 



