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Show 104 DR. J. MURIE ON THE SEALS OF THE FALKLANDS. [Jail. 28, 3. Another skin and skeleton (in better condition) of an adult and pregnant female, killed at the same time and place as the foregoing (No. 2). The foetus found in this specimen corresponded in size to the other. The colour of this skin corresponds in every particular with that described as No. 2, only it is not quite so dark.* The maxillary and premaxillary bones of this skull are also partly broken by the fatal blow with the baton. The palate, however, a good character of the species, is entire. This demonstrates, as does the whole inferior region (compare figs. 1 and 2), that the cranium of the female is much narrower and shallower than that of males of the same age and size. Especially is this the case in the maxillary region of the palate. The teeth altogether are much weaker and more sharply pointed than in the male. So marked is this that the skull of a female can at a glance, and by this character alone, be distinguished from that of a male. In some respects the female skull approaches that of Arctocephalus hookeri; but the posterior nares and great length of the palatines of both male and female Otaria jubata readily separate them. The greatest length of this cranium is 10*5 inches, the greatest breadth (at the zygoma) 6 inches. The crests of the roof are but feebly developed. 4. Skin and skeleton (not perfectly complete) of a female Otaria, young but nearly adult. This was captured alive on the 4th June 1868, at North-Point Island, situate at the south-east corner of the Falklands. In markings and colour this younger female is hardly to be distinguished from the older pregnant animals. There is perhaps a more marbled aspect, produced by a greater and more irregular distribution of the light upper hairs. 5. Skin, disarticulated fragmentary skull, and leg-bones of another female, about the same age as No. 4. This specimen also was taken alive at North-Point Island, 4th June 1868. No difference in colour and hairy covering is appreciable between this and No. 4. 6. Skin, leg-bones, and cranium, with imperfect dentition of a young but considerable-sized male Sea-lion. This animal was taken alive at Kelp Island on the 8th June 1868, and said to have been about eighteen months old at date of capture. The entire head, neck, and body of this skin is clothed with short, fine, smooth, closely set hairs of a nearly uniform chocolate tint. The nape of the neck and the belly are a trifle lighter than the other parts. 7. Skin only of a very young male Otaria, technically called a "pup." Caught alive, 16th February 1868, on one of the islets near Kelp Island. This and the three succeeding specimens (Nos. 8, 9, and 10) were seized at one raid. They shall be described and commented on together. 8. Another skin, closely resembling the last. 9. A skin, vertebral column, leg-bones, and feet of a similar very young but female Seal. 10. Similar skin of another young female. |
