' O'TARY, Otaria, a genus of the seal family (Phocida.), distinguished from the rest of the family by a projecting auricle or auditory conch (often popularly called "external car"), and by a very remarkable character, a double cutting edge in the four middle upper incisors. The membrane which unites the toes of the hind-feet is prolonged into a flap beyond each toe. The fore-legs, as if intended exclusively for swimming, are placed further back in the body than in the true seals, giving the otaries the appearance of having is longer neck. The hind-legs are more like the fore-legs than in the true seals.—The SEA-LioN (0. jubala or 0. Steen) of the northern seas is about 15 ft. in length, and weighs about 16 cwt. It inhabits the eastern shores of Kamtchatka, the Kurile islands, etc., and is in some places extremely abundant. It is partially migratory, removing from its most northern quarters on the approach of winter. It is to be found chiefly on rocky coasts and islet rocks, on the ledges of which it climbs, and its roaring is sometimes useful in warning sailors of danger. It is much addicted to roaring, which, as much as the inane of the old males, has obtained for it the name of sea-lion. The head of this animal is large; the eyes very large; the eyebrows bushy; the hide thick; the hair coarse, and reddish; a heavy mass of stiff, curly, crisp hair on the neck and shoulders. The old males have a fierce aspect, yet they flee in great precipitation from man; but if driven to extremities, they fight furiously. Sea lions are capable of being tamed, and become very familiar with man. They are -polygamous, but a male gener ally appropriates to himself only two or three females. They feed on fish and the smaller seals.The sea-lion of the southern seas, once supposed to be the same, is now generally believed to be a distinct species, and, indeed, more than one species are snpposeal to inhabit the southern seas.—The URSINE SEAL, URSINE °TARN, or SEA BEAR (O.
n•8ina), is an inhabitant of the northern Pacific. It is scarcely 8 ft. long. The hinder limbs being better developed than in most of the seals, it can stand and walk almost like a land quadruped. The muzzle is prominent, the mouth small, the lips tumid. the whiskers long; the tip of the tongue is bifurcated. the eyes are large, the skin is thick. the hair long. erect, and thick, with a soft underclothing of wool. The food consists of sea-otters, small seals, and fish. The ursine seal is m o g. a strong mutate appropria ting to himself from eight to fifty females. It swims with great swiftness. It is tierce and courageous. Its skirl is much prized for clothing in the region: in which it. abounds. As in the ease of the sea-lion, it is doubtful if the geographical range of the sea-bear extends to the southern seas, or if it is represented there by a similar species. Several other species of. otary are inhabitants of the Pacific and Southern oceans. The Fun SEAL (0. falldandica) is one of these. . It is found on the Falkland islands, South Shet land, etc. It is of a long and slender form, with broad head, and clothed with a soft, compact, grayith-biown hair, amongst which is a very soft, brownish fur. It is grega rious and polygamous. When South Shetland was first visited, its seals had no apprehen sion of danger, and unsuspectingly remained whilst their fellows were slain and skinned; but they have since learned to be upon their guard. The skin of the fur seal is in great demand, chiefly for ladies' mantles, and was much used for making a kind of soft fur cap, which was very common thirty or forty years ago, •