198 



When on shore they frequent miry places, where 

 they wallow and frequently sleep, placing, as a cen- 

 tinel, one of their number upon a rising ground, 

 who gives notice of the approach of any danger by 

 frightful howlings. 



The sea- elephant is the largest of the phoca, and 

 produces more oil than any of the others ; it is so fat 

 that, whenever it moves, the oil is seen to undulate 

 beneath the skin. The males appear to be very 

 amorous, and frequently fight for the exclusive pos- 

 session of the females, until the death of one of them 

 terminates the contest ; from this cause the skins of 

 so many of them are covered with scars. Whenever 

 the males fight, the females retire apart, awaiting 

 the issue of a combat which is to place them in pos- 

 session of the victor. 



The sea- lion (phoca leonina) is of a better pro- 

 portioned and more elegant form than any other 

 species of phoca, though like the rest its shape is co- 

 nical. It is covered with a yellowish hair, which 

 from the shoulders to the tail is short, but on the 

 neck and near the head is as long as that of a goat, 

 and forms a very perceptible mane, that distinguishes 

 this from every other kind of phoca. The Indians 

 call it thopel'lame^ that is, the lame with a mane* 

 Its head resembles that of the lion, it has a large 

 flat nose, without hair from the middle to the tip ; 

 the cars are almost round, and stand out about two- 

 thirds of an inch from the head ; its eyes, the pupils 

 of which are greenish, are very bright and sparkling, 

 and the upper lip is furnished with long white whis- 

 kers, like those of a tiger. The mouth is very wide, 



