376 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PEIBILOF ISLANDS. 



One thing badly needed, is charts of the various rookeries in perspective, showing 

 the chief topographical features, such as conspicuous rocks, gullies, outlying rocks, 

 and small bays. On one of these it would be practicable to plot the distribution of 

 the seals from year to year in such a way as to show any marked changes. 



AUGUST 5. 



Dr. Jordan and Mr. Clark, with Jacob Kochuten and the mule team, went to 

 Polovina to see what effect the storm had had on the pups there. 



It was rather a surprise to find the sky entirely clear and the sun shining brightly. 

 This is the first occurrence of this kind since our arrival on the islands. 



POLOVINA ROOKERY. 



At the angle of Polovina rookery with the sandy beach where, on the 23d instant, 

 a number of dead pups were noted, we found 28 pups washed up in the same manner 

 and in the same condition as those at Tolstoi. The dead pups were swollen, denuded 

 of fur in most cases, many having the umbilical cord attached, and all having the 

 appearance of being crushed. All were too far gone for dissection. 



The cows were absent from the harems on the extreme point at the angle, though 

 the pups were huddled together and sleeping on the rocks. The harems on the sandy 

 beach have deserted to the rocky level above. The recent surf ran completely over 

 the ground they formerly occupied. 



With a glass 30 other dead pups were counted among the rocks at the foot of the 

 low cliff and on the edge of the cliff above. A depressed smooth tract leads down to 

 the cliff. This throughout its length is strewn at intervals with dead pups. Twenty- 

 eight are counted above the last lot. There are doubtless many more among the 

 flocks of black pups that gather on the tract. The bulls here are numerous, and on 

 the 23d of July were very restless and quarrelsome. They are still fighting, more or 

 less. All but a very few of the pups have the appearance of being dead a long time. 

 Two fresh ones are gathered in for examination. 



The harems on the rocks which extend out to a point and which are not much 

 above the level of the water at high tide have been driven in, and we find no difficulty 

 in passing along the edge under the cliff, a thing which we could not do on the 23d 

 of July. 



Hundreds of pups are swimming in the pools among these low-lying rocks. They 

 scamper away to the cliffs, spitting and snarling at us for disturbing their sport. One 

 little fellow gets cut off and sees no way of escape except to follow out to sea one of 

 the channels through which the water is rushing in. He tries it for a few feet, but 

 hurries back. Then he goes out again on seeing us. After we are past he comes in 

 and runs off to the cliffs. There are bachelor seals playing in the pools with the 

 little pups, but no mother seals. Some of the little fellows swim well. There are a 

 few dead pups among the stones, but not many, or they are not easily seen. 



Virgins are plentiful. A big plump cow sits in an uneasy position on a stone and 

 is watched over by a young bull. She is wet, just in from the sea. Jacob says she 

 carries an unborn pup. 



Two dead bulls are to be seen on the rookery, one in a position often assumed by 

 the bulls in rest lying flat on the stomach. A number of the dead bulls seen on the 



