THE CAPE SEA LION 
Seals are rarely killed at sea, for the reason that 
they are such expert swimmers.and divers ; but on 
land, where they go to rear their young, shed their 
fur, or to bask in the sun’s rays, they are ungainly, 
awkward, and slow, and are in consequence easily 
surprised and slain with clubs. A heavy blow is 
dealt upon the skull, which kills them instantly. 
Spears are not often used, for the reason that the 
hide is damaged by the perforations. 
The newly-born cubs have beautiful, short, 
glossy fur, which is quite black. However, the 
coat soon becomes silvery grey, owing to the tips 
of the hairs gradually becoming white. 
Adult seals are dark brown in colour. They 
possess a soft woolly under-fur which is light brown. 
This is hidden from view by the longer coarse 
hair which covers the body of the animal. 
The average length of an adult male is about six 
feet from the nose to the tail, which is but a stump. 
Some old males have been known to attain a length 
of eight feet, and were massive in proportion. 
The massiveness is confined to the neck and shoul- 
ders, giving these creatures enormous strength. 
The average length of a female is about four and a 
half feet. 
Sea Lions are not true fur-bearing seals, and 
consequently are not much sought after, their 
pelts not being nearly so valuable as those of the 
fur seals. The finest skins are those of the females 
and young males. 
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