130 MABINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 



No. 1. No. 2. 



From tip of nose to corner of mouth 3| 2 



From end of under jaw to corner of mouth 2 



From tip of nose to eye 3 1| 



From tip of nose to-ear 6 4 



Length of ear 1? 



Thickness of blubber Of OJ 



In the first example, the whiskers on each side of the face numbered thirty- 

 five and thirty -six; length of the longest whisker, four and three -eighths of an 

 inch. The color of the second example was black above, a little lighter below, 

 with scattering hairs of light brown or dull white. It had three rudimentary claws 

 on each pectoral ; and five claws on posterior flippers, two of which were rudiment- 

 ary. Weight of animals, respectively, eighty and ten and a half pounds. 



We give also several zincographic illustrations, which may afford a better idea 

 of the different forms of the animals in varied attitudes, as well as their facial 

 expression when sleeping, waking, and when in a state of excitement, which is 

 manifested by howling or roaring. 



Both males and females have a double coating of fat or blubber, lying between 

 the skin and the flesh of the body. These coatings are separated by a thin layer 

 of muscular tissue. The fat yields the oil of commerce, although inferior in quality 

 to that of the Sea Elephant. The young pups, or whelps, are of a slate or black 

 color, and the yearlings of a chestnut brown. An erroneous impression gener- 

 ally prevails relative to the size of the Sea Lion, which is considered, by many, 

 to be of mammoth proportions. And, when describing the larger species of mam- 

 malia found in the vast ocean, there is a manifest propensity to magnify them 

 until transformed into huge monsters, like the whale of the ancient voyagers, which 

 "wore nine hundred foot long," or that distinguished specimen of the seal family, 

 honored with the name of "Ben Butler," who, with his troop, holds possession of 

 Seal Rock, off the cliffs of San Francisco, and that has been estimated at the great 

 weight of two thousand pounds. 



The habits of the Sea Lion exhibit many striking features. It not only dwells 

 near the Arctic and Antarctic latitudes, but it basks upon the glittering sands 

 under an equatorial sun. On approaching an island, or point, occupied by a num- 

 erous herd, one first hears their long, plaintive bowlings, as if in distress; but, 

 when near them, the sounds become more varied, and deafening. The old males 

 roar so loudly as to drown the noise of the heaviest surf among the rocks and 

 caverns; and the younger of both sexes, together with the " clapmatches," croak 

 hoarsely, or send forth sounds like the bleating of sheep or the barking of dogs; 



