ST RIEEER S) SHABBAT. 
and thus do not place the two families relatively. 
There are several kinds of sea lions and sea bears, 
probably at least eight, though the exact numbers are 
still a matter of uncertainty. From a well known and 
northern kind, Ofaria ursina, is obtained the sealskin 
of commerce. The paradox is therefore true that seal- 
skin is not the skin of a seal. These fur-bearing sea 
bears are often spoken of as fur seals in contra-distinc- 
tion to those which have no fine under fur, but only 
coarse hair, and which are therefore called hair seals. 
But no anatomical characters, other than this, allow us 
to distinguish two groups in the family. Although this 
sea lion, and hair seals in general, do not furnish coats 
and waistcoasts for the rich and cold, there are other 
hair seals who are by no means on this count free from 
alarms. Thus Steller’s sea bear almost takes the place 
among the natives of the Aleutian islands that the rein- 
deer does with the Laps. The flesh, fishy, and unap- 
petising as it might well be to ourselves, is eaten, and 
of course, is said to resemble veal, as all strange meats 
are. Its abundant fat is the local substitute for coal and 
gas. For the storing of this fuel the animal’s stomach 
forms a convenient receptacle. The skin is used to 
cover boats. The gullet becomes the boots of the hunts- 
man or occupant of the boat, and the intestines sewn 
together afford him a nondescript and waterproof 
garment. Nothing in short is wasted by him except 
the skeleton, and even this is sought after by others, for 
museums. Sea lions congregate together in herds upon 
rocks, which temporary dwelling places are termed 
‘“‘ rookeries,”’ though ‘‘ Why rookeries ?’’? we may well 
exclaim with Miss Betsy Trotwood. This friendliness, 
tempered, however, in the wild state by acts of discipline 
on the part of the large males, doesnot extend to individ- 
uals of different species ; and in the large pond at the Zoo, 
if there is more than one sea lion an arrangement of 
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