193 
URSINE SEAL. 
which time they breed and educate their young. 
They are said then to quit their stations* and re- 
turn. some to the Asiatic* and some to the Ame- 
rican shore* generally* however* keeping between 
lai. 50° and 56°. 
The males are about eight feet in length* and 
weighing eight hundred pounds, but the females 
arc much smaller. Their bodies are thick* de~ 
creasing somewhat towards the tail. The nose 
projects like that of a pug do^* ; and the eyes 
are large and prominent. The tore legs are about 
two feet long ; and the feet are formed with toes* 
which are covered with a naked skin* and have 
only the rudiments of nails* bearing somewhat 
the appearance of turtle’s tins. The hind legs are 
rather shorter ; but so fixed behind* that the ani- 
mal can occasionally rub bis head with them ; 
these have live toes* separated by a web. The 
genera! colour of the hair is black ; but that of 
the old ones is tipped with grey. The females are 
ash coloured. 
The ursine seals live in families. Every male 
Is surrounded by a seraglio of from eight to fifty 
mistresses* whom he guards with the utmost jea- 
lousy. Each family keeps separate from the 
others* although they lie by thousands on the 
shores where they inhabit. These animals also 
swim in tribes when they take to the sea. The 
males exhibit great affection towards their young* 
and equal tyranny towards the females. They 
are fierce in the protection of the former ; and, 
should any one attempt to carry off their cub* 
they will stand on the defensive* while the fe- 
male conveys it away in her mouth. Should she 
happen to drop it* the male instantly quits his 
enemy* falls on her* and beats her against the 
stones till he leaves her for dead. As soon as 
she recovers* she crawls, to his feet in the most 
