52 
LOWER MAMMAL GALLERY. 
[Cases 
27*, 28, & 
29.] 
The Eared Seals, or Sea-Lions and Sea-Bears (Otariid(e), are- 
distinguished from the otlier members of the suborder by possess- 
ing small external ears, and by being able to bend their hind- 
feet forwards under their bodies and to use them for walking on 
land, showing in both respects a closer relationship to ordinary 
land-animals than do the true Seals, in which the outer ears 
have been entirely lost and the hind-feet project straight back- 
wards and are used only for swimming. Among the Eared Seals 
are exhibited very fine male specimens of the Northern Sea- 
Fig-. 29. 
Male and Female of the Northern Fur-Seal (Of aria ^n'sma). 
Lion, Otaria stelleri ( 534 ), and of the Southern Sea-Lion, 
Otaria juhata ( 535 ), in case 28. Especially striking among 
these animals is the great difference in size between the male 
and female ; all Eared Seals seem to be polygamous. Of the 
numerous species, one of the most worthy of mention is the 
Fur-Seal of the North Pacific, Otaria ursina ( 537 ), from which 
most of the furriers’ seal-skins sold are obtained. A fine series 
of this Seal, comprising specimens of both sexes and of various 
ages, is exhibited in case 27''' and a skeleton in case 29 ; the 
