THE BRANDED PUPS. 485 



these with two lines attached shows well the way iii which the hunters handle the 

 spear. The spear shank comes loose when the spear strikes into the animal, but being 

 attached at both ends to the spearhead it is dragged as a sort of a bridle in the water. 

 The lines from each end of the shank unite in one line, which is fastened to the head. 

 This union of the two lines is shown in the case of one of the heads. The dragging 

 of the shank impedes the progress of the seal and prevents it from sinking. The 

 lines have been torn from the shank. The heads were brought ashore by the seals, 

 and were torn out by the catching of the lines in the rocks. 



SEPTEMBER 21. 



I walked out this morning across Zoltoi and found it practically deserted. A few 

 bulls are up among the rocks, but most of them are gone. The sand is sifting and 

 whirling under a stiff" gale, and probably annoys the bull. 



In the afternoon I walked with Mr. Barrett-Hamilton to Tolstoi. Found a freshly 

 dead starved pup washed up at the extreme upper end of the Lagoon. It must have 

 been carried over from the Lagoon rookery. 



The usual line of sleeping bulls is to be seen on the sands of English Bay. The 

 sandy tract of Tolstoi is wholly deserted, except for one harem-like group containing 

 a bull, 3 or 4 cows, and about 25 pups. 



Along the water front are cows and pups sitting on the rocks. Among them are 

 stationed at intervals a number of old bulls. A few of them are wet. In the water 

 are others. Those on laud are loath to leave, and will even make a show of charging 

 at you. 



The cows and pups have, for the most part, moved far up the bluif. Among them 

 also are old bulls. One fellow dripping wet is perched on a stone far up the slope. 1 

 count a number of old bulls and find 65 on the shore and in that part of the slope that 

 can be seen from below. As the cows are alarmed at our presence, the old bulls wake 

 up and bustle about among them trying to quiet them. The great pod of seals on the 

 hillside, with 25 or 30 bulls in it, has all the appearance of a rookery in the height of 

 the season. The bulls are bawling, roaring, and rushing hither and thither among 

 the bleating cows. 



The number of weak and starving pups seems small. Mr. Barrett- Hamilton and 

 I can not find more than 5 on the extent of the sandy tract, the shore front, and the 

 edge of the rocky slope. The pups, to be seen everywhere, are fat, strong, and 

 vigorous. It is certain that the starving pups do not congregate at the water's edge, 

 and must be looked for wherever pups have been. 



SEPTEMBER 22. 



I went this morning to Lukanin to look at the branded pups. 



Most of the pups seen are in good shape, except in the case of those that have 

 just been in the water. The salt water has the effect of opening up the wound and 

 removing the scab, leaving it raw. Those pups that have not been in the water lately 

 show their wounds dry and in process of healing, while those recently in from the 

 water look fresh almost as if bleeding. Three of these wet pups are seen. 



From the brow of Lukanin Hill only 1 of the branded pups watched there for a 

 number of days back is visible. He is almost well; at least his back is dry and 

 healing. Probably if he were to go into the water he would come back with his 



