282 ANTARCTIC FUR SEALS. becomes smooth. p. 211. The mode of preparation is described at The Government rents the islands for 50,000 dollars a year, and imposes a revenue tax of two dollars on each skin taken. According to late accounts, the seal population of the islands is steadily increasing, and it is considered that the number allowed to be killed might safely be increased also. In view of the probable early extermination of the fur-bearing seals, so called, of other regions, however at least, so great a reduction of their numbers as to make the taking of them unprofitable-it is to be hoped that no risks will be run in the only place where they have any chance of perpetuation. Better under-kill than over-kill, even if the demands of the ladies should be scantily gratified. Properly managed, the Alaskan Islands will remain for ever the chief source, perhaps the only source, of this beautiful and valuable fur. When full grown, a sea lion is about 15 ft. long and weighs 16 cwt. The chief home of these seals is the ocean and shores between Russian North America and the opposite shores of Russia itself that is to say, about Behring's Straits and Behring's Sea. They are found also in the Kurile Islands and east coast of Kamschatka. The sea lions of the Southern Ocean are the Otaria jubata and O. Falklandica. These have been pursued with an indiscriminate slaughter in the high Antarctic latitudes by the seal hunters who annually go south to the Crosets, Kerguelen Island, and other desolate places for skins and oil; instead of only destroying a proportion of the adult males, they put to death the females also, and the helpless cubs perish from cold and hunger alongside the dead bodies of their mothers. The Antarctic fur seal (Arctophoca Falklandica, Peters, Otaria Falklandica) was at one time common in the Falkland group and the adjacent seas. The skins (which were worth fifteen Spanish dollars, according to Sir John Richardson) are from four to five 284 THE SEA ELEPHANT. feet long, covered with reddish down, over which stiff grey hair projected. They were especially hunted on the Falkland Islands, Terra del Fuego, New Georgia, South Shetland, and the coast of Chili. Three-and-a-half million of skins were taken from Masafuera to Canton between 1793 and 1807 (Dallas). THE SEA ELEPHANT (Macrorrhinus angustirostris, Phoca proboscidea, Peron) of California has only been well described since 1866. The males have a sort of small trunk, but no tusks. Its flesh is not only black, oily, and indigestible, but it is also almost impossible to separate it from the lard. The tongues alone supply really good aliment, and they are salted with care and esteemed in the market. The heart is sometimes eaten, but it is hard and indigestible; and with regard to the liver, which is esteemed in some seals, according Dr. Hamilton, it would appear, after repeated trials, to be hurtful. WALRUS (Trichecus rosmarus), SHOWING THE UPPER INCISORS IN THE FORM OF TUSKS. THE WALRUS OR SEA-HORSE (Trichecus rosmarus, Rosmarus obesus) it has been well remarked, forms a connecting link between the mammalia of the land and those of the water, corresponding in some of its characters both with the bullock and the whale. It is often seen of the size of a great ox, and sometimes exceeds the dimensions of the gigantic elephant. The chase of the walrus in the Arctic regions is of great antiquity. They used to congregate by thousands on the Magdalen Islands in the River THE WALRUS OR SEA HORSE. 285 St. Lawrence, but have long been driven far to the north, by their pursuers. The economic products for which this animal is sought are its flesh and its skin, its oil and teeth. Among the inhabitants of the Arctic regions its flesh is much valued and esteemed, and is greedily eaten along with the lard, and even the skin. In ancient times most of the ropes in the vessels of northern countries, appear to have been made of walrus skin, and when cut into shreds and plaited into cordage, it formed lines which were used for the capture of the whale; these also answer admirably for tiller-ropes; cables, too, were wont to be manufactured from them, and the Finlanders used to pay tribute to the king in this form. When tanned the skin is converted into a soft porous leather, above an inch in thickness, but it is not so useful nor so durable as in its green or raw state. It might do for harness and carriage leather. The hide has been successfully used for belting, and covering skin boats. A recent American paper states that "probably not less than fifty thousand walrus, with their young, were killed and destroyed last year (1875) by our arctic whalemen. The arctic walrus never forsake their young, but will take them in their flippers and hold them to their breasts, even when their destroyers are putting their 286 PRODUCTS OF THE WALRUS. sharp lances through and through them and the blood is streaming from every side, uttering the most heartrending and piteous cries until they die. But the worst feature of the business is, that the natives of the entire Arctic shore are now almost entirely dependent upon the walrus for their food, clothing, boots, and dwellings. Twenty years ago whales were plentiful and easily caught; but they have been driven north, so that now the natives seldom get a whale." These animals are abundant near Port Mollis in Bristol Bay, and on the more northern coast and islands of the Alaska territory. The oil is valuable, but they seldom yield more than 20 or 30 gallons. The teeth, which weigh about 4 lbs. the pair (although many books give them at half-a-ton !), used to be in great demand by dentists. Among the Chinese the dentine or ivory is employed for those curious uses to which they turn ivory so skilfully. This oil is a well known article of commerce. There is no doubt but that the annual supply might be largely augmented. The quantity of walrus tusks obtained in Alaska averages 100,000 lbs. in weight. These canines are sometimes |
