Japanese Sea Lion - Human Uses

Human Uses

Many bones of the Japanese sea lion have been excavated from shell middens from the Jōmon period in Japan while an 18th century encyclopedia, Wakan Sansai Zue, describes that the meat was not tasty and they were only used to render oil for oil lamps. Valuable oil was extracted from the skin, its internal organs were used to make expensive Oriental medicine, and its whiskers and leather were used as pipe cleaners and leather goods, respectively. At the turn of the 20th century, they were captured for use in circuses.

Read more about this topic:  Japanese Sea Lion

Famous quotes containing the word human:

    One might imagine that a movement which is so preoccupied with the fulfillment of human potential would have a measure of respect for those who nourish its source. But politics make strange bedfellows, and liberated women have elected to become part of a long tradition of hostility to mothers.
    Elaine Heffner (20th century)

    The trees stand in the setting sun,
    I in their freckled shade
    Regard the cavalcade of sin,
    Remorse for foolish action done,
    That pass like ghosts regardless, in
    A human image made....
    Philip Larkin (1922–1986)