THE SEA LION. 139 



the Sea Lion are frequently used instead of the wooden laha, or catamaran. The 

 vast herds of these marine animals, to the far north and south, do not materially 

 diminish, as they are hunted by the natives solely for domestic consumption ; but 

 those on our California shores will soon be exterminated by the deadly shot of the 

 rifle, or driven away to less accessible haunts. 



