The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-05-01
sEA LION.

lower, except that there is one incisOr less. In
the second set, however, while the front teeth
remain the same, additional grinders make their
appearance. and the adult seal Of this family
has always two extra molars, aud IN the upper
Jaw sometimes three.
These animals make most use Of their fore
ilippers in locOmotiOn. and in swimming they
are almost exclusively employed
OtariidH present two groups, which are, how
ever, Disseminated from each other on the basis
of structural characters OF less importance than
those which serve 10 separate this family from
that OF the walruses. Their popular names
hair seals or sea lions and fur seals sea bears
serve TO indicate the most apparent. and.
economically, the most important difference
between them. The average hair seal is larger
than its ally of any furred species, and that
one Of the North Pacific, which is named after
Steller (Eumetropias stellerI the surgeon of
Behring'S last expedition and the real discOvereF
of our Northwest coast, frequently attains
length of II or 10 feet, and weighs as much as
i 1000 pounds. All are, however, bulky creatures
and much alike in essential traits. although
they differ among themselves in size, in the
shape and development of their external ears,
as well rs in dentitiOn and the conformation
and capacity OF their skulls.
Sen lions and sea bears have nearly the same
geographical distribution, but notwithstanding
their local association these creatures rarely or
never iutermingle, and the same is true of the
specific forms belonging To either group. Both
Phocid.r, or true seals, aud their cared allies
ARE INHABITANTS OF TEMPERATE OR NORTH
ERN LATTrUDEs.
The respective genera are said to exist in
nearly equal numbers north and south of the
equator but while within tho parallels where
they are distributed these animals are exposed
to a considerable range of temperature their
liberation of warm waters is limited, and
mt tb..t fo1
with the exception of that species of sea ele-
plant belonging TO the northern hemisphere.
| This latter which "a is the largest of the true
seals. if not OF all pimnipcds." and sometimes
| measures - feet in length is found as far south
| as the western coast of Mexico.
| Ii remains to say that the race history of both
| cared aud earless seals is thus far quite an inn
| stratigraphicaI series presented any fossil fOrm
| which was indisputably disconnected with
| those which nhabit the earth at this period.
| With respect to Otariidye alone these animals
| exhibit marked peeuliarities None are found IN
| the North Atlantic. where many species of fur
! seal abound. On the West coast they exist on
| the littoral of both continents. and the North
/ ern sea lion ranges from Bering'S Straits 10 Jap
| an through the intervening island shores. There
| is a very considerable difference in size be-
! tween the sexes among animals of this family,
aud also very ohv ious variations IN color among
| the whole division. Generally, however, their
! hard, brstly hair is of a yelowish or reddish
! brown hue, aud the coab IS always darker IN
| youth than in maturity.
| Like the walru5 and their cOngeners of the
| fur-bearing Species hair seals seek some untre-
quented coast during the pairing season, at
! which the older males are tho first TO arrive.
| They are all gregatious and polygamous, and
upon reaching their roOkeries," rs these re-
! sorts are called. the females come into the pos
| session of their male companions
BY RIGHT OF CONQUEST.
| They are the spoils of war, and the victors in
those battles, which are invariably fought for
| them both select their cOnsorts and appOrtiOn
their numbers. Usually the seragio of a male
consists of from IL 10 lo females, but Ee may
| have more if possessed of sufficient proweSS 60
win them from less powerful and pugnacious RI
walls. There is little doubt that this large and
formidable creature one of which not long age
bita visitors arm of in the Geological Gardens
mt Philadelphia, is naturally timid and peacea-
bIe nj all other times than this but when pair.
ing il is equally indubitable that they fight DIES
peratcly. During the period OF their stay al
the "rookeries" these animals remain on shore
and consequently fast, similar course of pro
cedure To that which is reported of the walFu!
under like circumstances. The males are ex
ceedingly jealous of any advance made To thei
consorls, and promptly resent il; SO that i
might be supposed that at this time perpetual
battles, prOtraeted abstinence and perturbation
of mind, would of themselves account for th
statement made by Loekington to the edee
that sea lions who had come To these station
I" fat and vigorous" lett them weak and ems
| ciated."
The title sea lion is probably one of thOs
MANY designations which have been givel
| upon the spur of the moment, and have beeom