HEKDING AND BRANDING OF SEALS. 589 



A 2-year-old cow was killed by suffocation near the Lukanin salt bouse. Her age 

 was determined by the fact that, while she was pregnant, she had not borne a pup. 

 An old harem bull also died at the Tolstoi gate. He was a very large fat bull, in 

 splendid condition, but the lungs and parts of the small intestine were badly congested, 

 probably from overheating. Each auricle of the heart contained a mass of peculiar 

 substance somewhat resembling fat. Processes of this substance extended into the 

 blood vessels, but it is impossible to tell whether this had anything to do with the 

 death of the animal or not. 



SEPTEMBER 4. 

 MB. GREELEY'S NOTES. 



This afternoon the seals are much more restless than yesterday. During the noon 

 hour 1 escaped o fer a 50-inch fence near the outlet by simply climbing up in the 

 meshes of the wire. Bands of the seals follow the fence all the way around, and even 

 climb up in the steepest places over by Tolstoi head. Yesterday white flags were put 

 about on the fence where the seals congregate. They have the effect of keeping the 

 mass of seals from these spots, but do not deter individuals from investigating them 

 as much as ever. The young bulls rounded up harems of the cows soon after settling 

 down inside the inclosure. These are still kept up, but only in a lazy sort of a way, 

 the bulls allowing the cows to easily escape them. A good many yearlings have been 

 noticed in the lagoon, and 3 or 4 pups. 



MR. WARREN'S NOTES. 



This forenoon we tested the branding machine in the presence of Colonel Murray. 

 A dozen live pups were brought in by the natives in a wagon from Lukauin. Previous 

 to this a considerable amount of work had been expended upon the machine, with the 

 object of getting more power. To this end two crank wheels and connecting links had 

 been attached, so that the power of two men could be added to that of the engine, 

 which was found to be inadequate to keep the cauter hot while in contact with the 

 thick fur. 



Several accidents occurred during the trial which conspired to make the test 

 rather unsatisfactory as regards time, the branding of the 12 pups taking thirty-five 

 minutes. First one crank wheel got loose from the framework; again a belt came off; 

 several times the cauter wire burnt out. Each of these accidents contributed to the 

 delay. I am convinced, however, that with certain changes which can be easily made 

 the machine will be successful and capable of making a brand superior to the hot iron. 



MR. SNODGRASS'S NOTES. 



After the middle of August many of the harems withdrew from the sand either 

 to the hills back of the sand or to the edge of the water. Since the 19th the number 

 on the sand has been about constant, and whenever observed pups were constantly 

 going over it to and from the water. The majority of the dead pups were not found 

 near the harems on the sand, so that probably many belonged to the harems on the 

 hillside. 



