Chapter II: Ii.--The Sea Lion Family (otariidæ)

Various Names--Peculiarities of Distribution--Characteristics
of the Family--Dentition--Skull--Fossil Remains--Distinction
between Fur and Hair Seals--Preparation of the Seal-skin--THE
NORTHERN FUR SEAL--History--The Pribyloff Islands--Male,
Female, Young--“Hauling-grounds”--Wintering--Males at
the Islands in Spring--Desperate Battles for Seaward
Positions--Approach of the Females--Struggles for Wives--The
Young--Abstinence from Food, Water, and Sleep for more than
Two Months--Neutral Ground in the “Rookeries”--Habits of
the Young--Food--Annual Slaughter--Estimated Numbers--Mode
of Killing--STELLER’S SEA LION--GILLIESPIE’S HAIR
SEAL--HOOKER’S SEA BEAR--The Wreck of the _Grafton_--Musgrave’s
Narrative--Sufferings of the Castaways--Their
Experiences among the Sea Bears--THE WHITE-NECKED
OTARY--Distribution--Description--“Counsellor Seal”--THE
PATAGONIAN SEA LION--Historical Associations--Impetus to
the Study of the Family--François Lecomte--Its Docility and
Intelligence--Its various Performances--Voracity--Lecomte’s
Observations--Habits--THE FALKLAND ISLAND FUR
SEAL--Habitat--The Hunter’s Boats--Driven from their
Haunts--Captain Weddell’s Observations--Great Wariness and
Speed--Size--Habits--THE SOUTH AFRICAN, OR CAPE FUR SEAL--THE
NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL--THE ASH-COLOURED OTARY--Peron’s Services
to Science 216