418 THE FUR SEALS OP THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



all the females were present. The partial failure of previous observers to appreciate 

 the real situation has been due mainly to the fact that they could not go near enough 

 to what they were observing or could not kill specimens to verify their observations. 

 The absurd notion that the rookeries had to be left severely alone has left their 

 condition a matter largely of conjecture. 



The failure to appreciate the true condition of the fur-seal herd which the count 

 of live pups and of dead ones shows emphasizes as nothing else can the need of 

 careful and systematic study of the fur-seal herd. There should be a competent 

 naturalist who understands the breeding habits of animals. He should have the 

 power to control the interests of the herd, and every facility should be afforded for 

 carrying out his plans. 



Mr. Lucas visited Gorbatch this afternoon and dissected a dead female, preserving 

 the fetus for study in dentition. 



A middle-aged female found to-day on Gorbatch. She had an old wound from 

 bite on the rump. The cause of death was probably wrong presentation of fetus, the 

 back of the head being presented toward vagina and wedged in pelvis. Contusion 

 on head. 



At noon the Corwin came to anchor off Lukanin Bay and sent a boat ashore. It 

 was decided that Mr. Lucas and Mr. Macoun should go to St. George Island to make 

 a count of the trampled pups there, and accordingly they went on board in the 

 evening for an early start in the morning. 



Early in the afternoon H. M. steamers Satellite and Icarus came to anchor off 

 East Landing. The Satellite called for the purpose of taking Professor Thompson 

 to the Commander Islands. Dr. Jordan decides to accept the invitation of Professor 

 Thompson to accompany him. 



THE EXPERIMENTAL PUP. 



Kotik, the starveling, died to-day. His end seemed near, but was not expected for 

 a day or two. No one saw him die. He was found prone on his belly, his mouth 

 wide open and pressed on the ground. He probably died gasping, as the starving 

 pups on the rookeries were seen to do. Evidently the final breaking down comes 

 quickly. He weighed exactly 9 pounds when dead. His external appearance did not 

 give evidence of so great emaciation as the starved pups on the rookeries, probably 

 because he has not been trampled over by other seals. Perhaps his confinement has 

 hastened his end somewhat. He has been kept in a large box having the top and 

 bottom open, so that he rested on the ground and was exposed to the weather. Mr. 

 Lucas took Kotik on board the Corwin with him to dissect on the way over to St. 

 George. 



ARDIGUEN. 



Mr. Lucas reports one harem in the slide to contain 50 females. Two new harems, 

 presided over by a-year-old bulls, have been formed. The bull in charge of the large 

 harem, an old one, is as active as ever. 



AUGUST 16. 



At 9 o'clock Professor Thompson and Dr. Jordan went on board the Satellite, and 

 at noon the ship sailed for the Commander Islands. It is expected to return by the 



