The Descent of Man

nature making any choice in their marriage
unions. The following curious details on the
courtship of one of the eared seals (Callorhinus
ursinus) are given (45. Mr. J.A. Allen in 'Bull.
Mus. Comp. Zoolog. of Cambridge, United
States,' vol. ii. No. 1, p. 99.) on the authority of
Capt. Bryant, who had ample opportunities for
observation. He says, "Many of the females on
their arrival at the island where they breed appear
desirous of returning to some particular
male, and frequently climb the outlying rocks
to overlook the rookeries, calling out and listening
as if for a familiar voice. Then changing to
another place they do the same again…As soon
as a female reaches the shore, the nearest male
goes down to meet her, making meanwhile a
noise like the clucking of a hen to her chickens.
He bows to her and coaxes her until he gets
between her and the water so that she cannot
escape him. Then his manner changes, and
with a harsh growl he drives her to a place in
his harem. This continues until the lower row