Some 
Notes on the Creatures 
OF WHICH 
PHOTOGRAPHS APPEAR IN 
THE FOREGOING PAGES. . 
BY 
ARTHUR F. COBB, B.A. (Oxon.) 
Southern Sea Elephant or Elephant Seal {Macro rh in us 
leoninus). Frontispiece. These unwieldly creatures are not often 
seen in the Falkland Islands. Occasionally they have ventured up 
near one of the settlements when sick or wounded, as in the case of 
the specimen here photographed. He came into Darwin Harbour, 
past the houses, even going under a bridge into the shallow upper bay, 
causing great excitement among the people. This bull measured 
eighteen feet in length and about eleven feet in girth. The cows are 
usually about half the size of the bulls. The name of “ Elephant ” 
was given to them partly on account of their huge proportions, 
partly from their curious upper lip, which falls forward, somewhat 
resembling a short trunk. 
Sea Lion or Hair Seal ( Otaria jubata). Pages 6-8. Is very 
plentiful in some parts of the Falkland Group, especialty on the 
outlying and unfrequented smaller islands. The photographs on 
pages 6-8 are of a big Sea Lion with his two wives or “ Clapmatches '* 
which were lying asleep on land, several hundred yards from the sea. 
This formidable beast objected very strongly to their being photo- 
graphed. He would take a few steps in the direction of the camera, 
then return to his place beside them, opening his cavernous mouth 
and roaring loudly. Single Sea Lions on the tussac islands rarely stay 
to be photographed, but hurry into the sea without turning to left or 
right. As will be seen in the pictures, the female is much smaller 
than the male. It is said that the pups are so fat, when first taking 
to the water, that ballast in the form of stones is given them by their 
parents to keep them down. 
Octopus ( Polypus sfi. inc.). Page 9. The photograph on page 9 
is of an Octopus lying dead on the beach, being the only specimen 
the writer has ever seen in the islands. 
