OTARIID^E; 
OR, EARED SEALS. 
HE family Otariidce, Eared Seals, are distinguished by having an external ear, 
The arms and legs are much more developed, and resemble more those of land 
quadrupeds. Especially is this the case with the hind legs. In the Common 
Seals the hind legs we have seen are “flippers,” directed backwards for swim- 
ming ; those of the present Seals are articulated so that the limb is capable of 
being used in walking (after a homely fashion), as well as in swimming. The 
fore-feet are fin-like, but large, and quite useful in walking. The present group 
of Seals are, then, a shade higher in rank or development in the direction of the land quad- 
rupeds, or mammals. Eared Seals are characterized by their under fur, an article now well 
known, and of immense commercial importance. 
It is a curious circumstance that the young of these Seals have to be taught to swim. The 
young are brought forth far inland. 
The Sea Lion and Sea Bear are represented by grand specimens in the Central Park 
Museum, both male, female, and young. 
Capt. Bryant spent some time on the island of St. Paul, making some very intelligent 
records of the habits of these animals. About the first of April, when the snow is cleared 
away, and the drift-ice has passed, a few old males, of the Sea Bear species, are seen recon- 
noitering the locality, and after two or three days’ inspection venture on shore to examine the 
rookeries, as they are called. After a few days other 4 4 bears ’ ’ begin to arrive, the first having 
departed to give intelligence that all is right. The old males appropriate the spaces they 
require for ten or twelve females each. Capt. Bryant gives some most extraordinary state- 
ments respecting the treatment of the females. He says : 4 4 As soon as the female reaches the 
shore, the nearest male goes down to meet her, meanwhile making a noise like the clucking 
of a hen. He bows and coaxes her, and when he has gotten himself between her and the water, 
alters his tone, and growls lustily at her, and drives her into his harem.” He says the males 
teach the young to swim. 
The Fur Seals, according to Capt. Scammon, U. S. Revenue Marine Service, differ con- 
siderably in habits from the other forms. They range from the highest navigable latitudes to 
the equator. 
On the coast of Chili their numbers were so great in 1798 that the American ship Betsey 
procured a full cargo of skins. It was estimated there were left on the island, which is not over 
twenty-five miles in circumference, at least 500,000 Seals. Subsequently there were taken but 
little short of a million skins. This fishery was almost exclusively under the American flag. 
The capture of Fur Seals is accomplished by driving herds some distance inland. The 
more valued young or middle-aged are selected, and driven by parties making all the noise 
they can, on tin implements, and by the opening and shutting of umbrellas. 
After resting a while the animals are killed by a sharp blow upon the nose, which part 
we have seen is especially tender and vulnerable, though in other respects they are quite 
tenacious of life. Besides the valued skins, each Seal yields a gallon and a half of oil. The 
linings of the throat are saved and salted, as an article of trade to other ports, being used by 
the natives to make water-proof cloaks. 
The skins are salted and packed in square bins, where they lie about forty days ; they are 
then taken out, the salt removed, and a small quantity of clean salt sprinkled upon them, 
when they are folded, flesh-side in, and packed for commerce. 
