46 
ORDERS OF MAMMALS— SEALS AND SEA-LIONS 
exterminated.” There was “practically no com- 
plaint” of fish destruction “at the time of the 
investigation. Sea-Lions were scarcely ever seen 
in the vicinity of the salmon nets during 1901.” 
At the mouth of the Columbia River, “the 
fishermen were unanimous in their denunciation 
of the Sea-Lions.” “The shallow water and the 
large number of salmon make that point a favor- 
ite feeding ground, and there is no doubt that the 
Sea-Lions are doing much damage there.” “It 
the strength of general opinions; for a supposed 
enemy may, on careful investigation, prove to 
be a friend. 
Steller’s Sea-Lion , 1 the largest Sea-Lion in 
the world, inhabits a few isolated spots on the 
Pacific coast, from Santa Cruz, California to Ber- 
ing Strait. Large male specimens attain an 
average length of 10 to 11 feet, stand 6 feet high, 
and attain a weight estimated by competent ob- 
servers at 1,400 pounds. The full-grown male 
steller’s sea-lion. 
appears that the Sea-Lions are doing very little 
damage anywhere excepting at the mouth of the 
Columbia River.” (Report, page 117.) 
A summary of the results of the investigation 
establishes three facts: 
1. The California Sea-Lion is not guilty of 
destroying fish to any great extent, and deserves 
protection, not death. 
2. Steller’s Sea-Lion eats miscellaneous fish; 
but on the coast of California does nothing to 
merit destruction. At the mouth of the Co- 
lumbia it is destructive, and there deserves to be 
kept in check. 
3. Wild animals never should be destroyed on 
has a girth of S to 9 feet, a lion-like head, coarse 
neck hair 4 inches long, and canine teeth like a 
grizzly bear, which are much used in fighting. 
The full-grown females are from 8 to 9 feet 
long, weigh from 400 to 500 pounds and are more 
finely formed. The hair is coarse, and the ani- 
mal is now of practically no commercial value, 
save for its oil. This species is readily distin- 
guished from the California sea-lion by its far 
greater size, its hoarse voice, the very large neck, 
and the long, coarse neck hair of the males. 
In its habits, this great Sea Lion is very pe- 
culiar. Amongst themselves the old males 
1 Eu-me-to' pi-as stel'ler-i. 
