This latter assertion is a mistake, for the bones sent home were those of O. jubata, as is proved by the following remarks of Dr. Murie:—“Lecomte and his companions believed these large old skulls of Otaria jubata [which he brought home] to be those of the Elephant-seal (Morunga elephantina), as it was stated by some of the party that those animals formerly did exist on this island. One of the pilots (Louis Despreaux by name) had resided thirty-two years on the Falkland Islands, and he distinctly remembered shooting many Elephant-seals in the neighbourhood in bygone years; but about twelve years ago they began to get scarce and disappear.” And further on he observes that they are “now only rarely met with in the Falklands.”—P. Z. S. 1869, pp. 106 & 109.
2. Morunga angustirostris.
Macrorhinus angustirostris, Gill, l. c. p. 13; Cope, Proc. Acad. N. Sc. Philad. 1865, p. 51.
Inhab. California from Cape San Lucas to Point Reyes.
Its colour is light brown when the hair is grown to the full length. The males are from 18 to 22 feet long. Females 10 feet long. Canines of the males 4 or 5 inches long.
13. CYSTOPHORA.
Cystophora, Gray, Cat. S. & W. p. 40; Gill, l. c.
North Atlantic.
- Callocephalus vitulinus.
- Callocephalus dimidiatus.
- Pagomys fœtidus.
- Pagophilus grœnlandicus.
- Phoca barbata.
- Halichœrus grypus.
- Cystophora cristata.
Caspian Sea and Lake Baikal.