196 



and inflated with air ; upon these are placed sevei*al 

 pieces of wood laid transversely, which will contaii) 

 one or more persons. When the skin is well dress- 

 ed it resembles coarse-grained morocco leather, but 

 is superior to it in point of consistency and durabili- 

 ty ; shoes and boots are also made of it that are im- 

 penetrable to water. The oil which is obtained from, 

 the fat forms a considerable article of commerce 

 with the inhabitants of Chiloe. It is used for dress- 

 ing leather, and, when clarified, for burning, and is 

 preferred to that of the w hale, as it keeps better, and 

 retains its clearness for a longer time. The sailorsi 

 m^ke use of it for frying their fish, and the taste is 

 not unpleasant when it is fresh. In the stomach of this 

 animal is frequently found stones of several pounds 

 weight, which it probably swallows to triturate its 

 food, and accelerate the process of digestion. 



The sea-hog (phoca porcina) resembles the urigne 

 in its shape, hair, and manner of living, but diíFers 

 from it in the conformation of its mouth, which is 

 longer, and resembles the snout of a hog. Its ear^ 

 are likewise more raised, and the fore feet divided 

 into five very distinct toes, covered with a mem- 

 brane. This phoca, which is from three to four 

 feet in length, is but rarely met with on the coast 

 of Chili. 



The lame, sea-elephant, or elephantine seal (phoca 

 elephantica) is similar in form to the preceding, but 

 distinguished from it by very striking characteristics. 

 It is of a very great size, being frequently fifteeiv. 

 feet in circumference aroi^nd the breast, and twenty- 

 two feet in length. Upon 4ts nose is a comb, or 



