14G MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 



equul to the best mutton, if properly cooked. Xotwitlistanding, after repeated 

 trials, we confess oar preference for the latter. The hearts and livers of young 

 seals, whether of the Fur or Hair species, are excellent ; but we would advise those 

 fond of fresh meat not to witness the killing of the animals and the extraction of 

 those choice portions of them. The employes of the Russian- American Company 

 frequently salted seal meat for ship's use, when a supply of beef could not be 

 obtained. 



The habits of the Fur Seals differ in several respects from those of the numerous 

 Hair species. One of their most remarkable traits is their extended geographical 

 range. To give a clear idea of their varied haunts as regards climate and diversity 

 of locality, we may mention the following as among their favorite resorting - places : 

 The coast of Patagonia, west coast of Africa, Falklands, New South Shetlauds, South 

 Georgia, southern coast of Chile, island of Masafuero, Lobos Islands (on the coast 

 of Peru), Galapagos Islands (off the coast of Ecuador), the islands of Desolation, 

 Crozets, and St. Paul's in the Indian Ocean, and St. Paul and St. George islands 

 (Behring Sea), and Robin and Jonas islands in the Okhotsk Sea. Thus it will be 

 seen that these curious animals are inhabitants of the antipodes of the globe, and 

 bask iu a tropical sun as well as endure the rigors of the icy regions of the Arctic 

 and Antarctic. 



Some idea may be had of their numbers in former years, when on the island 

 of Masafuero, on the coast of Chile — which is not over twenty -five miles in circum- 

 ference — the American ship Betsey^ under the command of Captain Fanning, in the 

 year 1798,'" obtained a full cargo of choice skins. It was estimated at the time 



* At the present day, when the American him also was the project first discussed, of fit- 

 ships that double Cape Horn, and the Cape of ting out a suitable vessel, which should proceed 

 Good Hope, are magnificent types of naval arch- to the South Seas, there to procure a cargo of 

 itecture compared with those of the early voy- Fur Seal skins, and with this cargo thence to 

 ages, a reminiscent note, relative to the Betsey, cross the Pacific for the Canton market, where 

 her owners, commander, and ship's company, the article was well ascertained to be greatly in 

 is of peculiar interest, as portraying the char- demand, and held at prices that furnished good 

 acter of all those who, at that period, entered grounds upon which to hope that a very hand- 

 so practically yet enthusiastically into commer- some profit would be realized. Another great 

 cial pursuits. "In the early part of the month inducement held out in favor of the attempt, 

 of May, 1797," writes Captain Fanning, "it was was the probability that Captain Whetten him- 

 the good fortune of the author to meet at New self, in the Ontario, would be at Canton at 

 York with Captain John Whetten, a gentleman about the period of the arrival there (which 

 distinguished as an able navigator, and at the would be in our fall part of the year, say the 

 time m command of the ship Ontario, in the month of September, October, or November) of 

 China trade. With him originated, and with any vessel shortly fitted out. The intimate knowL 



