. The marine mammals of the north-western coast of North America, described and illustrated; together with an account of the American whale-fishery. and fifty thousand dollars. Whether these very valuable fur animals have decreased in numberswithin thepast few years, is questionable. The hunting of them on the coast of California isno longer profitable for more than two or three hunters, and we believe of latesome seasons have passed without any one legitimately engaging in the enterprise ;notwithstanding, off Point Grenville, which is an old hunting-ground, sixty Otterswere taken by only thre
. The marine mammals of the north-western coast of North America, described and illustrated; together with an account of the American whale-fishery. and fifty thousand dollars. Whether these very valuable fur animals have decreased in numberswithin thepast few years, is questionable. The hunting of them on the coast of California isno longer profitable for more than two or three hunters, and we believe of latesome seasons have passed without any one legitimately engaging in the enterprise ;notwithstanding, off Point Grenville, which is an old hunting-ground, sixty Otterswere taken by only three hunters during the summer of 18G8 — a great annualincrease over many past years. It is said the Russian-American Company restrictedthe number taken yearly by the Aleutian Islanders, from whom the chief supplywas obtained, in order to perpetuate the stock. Furthermore, may it not be thatthese sagacious animals have fled from those places on the coasts of the Californiaswhere they were so constantly pursued, to some more isolated haunt, and nowremain unmolested? THE SEA OTTER. 175 SlM^Jp.: i , , iiiiiliffiigffliltillllllllllllllllllllillipi. •. !,: lyir PI > o H •-3 piw n >2 o a> > > >-3 X K c ?a w w wa!O>o M0 H ao CHAPTER WALRUS. Eosmaeus obesus, llliger. Eminent naturalists have remarked that the Walrus, or Sea-horse, appears tobe the connecting link between the mammals of the land and those of the bulky and unwieldy animal when on shore has some resemblance to the seal,yet differs materially in its proportions, as well as in its elephant-like tusks. TheWalrus attains the size of the largest Sea Lion, and measures from ten to four-teen feet in length, and about eight feet in circumference. Its head is rounded,small (when compared with the anterior portion of the body), and flattened infront. Its eyes are diminutive in size, and deeply set; the small orifices of theears are about three inches behind, and two inches below the eyes.
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Keywords: ., bookcent, bookdecade1870, booksubjectdolphins, booksubjectwhaling
