File:The illustrated natural history (microform) (1863) (20613893596).jpg

Title: The illustrated natural history (microform)
Identifier: cihm_50037 (find matches)
Year: 1863 (1860s)
Authors: Wood, J. G. (John George), 1827-1889
Subjects: Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles
Publisher: London : Routledge, Warne, and Routledge
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Digitizing Sponsor: University of Alberta Libraries

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SK \ i:i.KI'IIA\T.—,U"n/»!/(i pmtmri.lm. Hmthfvu lu'im.splu're, mid is sinviul tlmmoJi a cousidorabk' range of coimtiy. It is t'xteiisivi'ly hunted lor the sake of its sivin and its oil, both of which are of very'excellent quality, and, from the enormous size of the iininial, can be procured in large'quantities h is not exclusively confuiwl to the sea, but is also fund of haunting fresh-water lakes, or siViuapy gi'ouml, as is depicted in the engraving. It is an emigrating animal, moving southwards as the summer conies on, and northwards when the cold weather of the winter months would make its more southern retreats unendurable. Their first emigration is generally nuule in the middle of June, wlioii till' iemales become mothers, and remain in charge of their nurseries for nearly two iiioutiis. During this time the males are said to form a cordon between their mates and the sea, .n order to prevent them fnnn deserting their vmiiig charges. At the expiration oi tins time, the nudes relax their supervision, and the whiile family luxuriates together 111 the sea, where the mothers soon regain their lost condition. They then seek the shore ahvsh,and occupy them.selves in settlingtheir niatriiuoiiial alliances," which are understood oil the principle that the strongest shall make his choirc among the opposite sex, and that the weakest may take those that are rejected bv his coiKiuerors. or lunie at all, as thu case may be. During the season of courtship the males tiylit dcsperatelv with each other, inflictiii.T leaiiul wounds with their tusk-like teeth, while the iemales remain aloof, as quiet spectators ot the coniliat. They are p..lyganious animals, each male being lord over a considerable number of females, whom lie rules witli despotic sway. When the victorious combatants have cho.sen their mates thev are verv careful about their safety, and refuse to (put them if they should be in any danger. Knowing this fact, the Seal- luniters always direct their attacks u))on the females, being sure to capture tlie male afterwards. If they were to kill the male at first, his harem would immediately disperse ami fly m terror, but as long as lie lives they will continue to crowd round him. Ahhough these animals are of so great dimensions and bodily strength, and are furnished with a very fornii.lable set of teeth, thev are not nca'rlv such dangerous antagonists as the walrus, and are most apathetic iu their habits. When roused from HI

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