HABITS. 269 



until the hair starts this process is called 'scouring'; then the 

 hair is scoured off and the bare hide is stretched to season a 

 process usually requiring about ten days when it is taken 

 down and rubbed between the hands to make it pliable ; this 

 completes the whole course of dressing it. The prepared skins 

 are then converted into harness for the sledge-dogs and rein- 

 deer, and water-proof bags ; if wanted for the soles of mocca- 

 sins, or to cover their skin-boats, they are dried with the hair 

 on, and become nearly as stiff as plates of iron. The blubber 

 of the animals, if killed in the fall or winter, is preserved by 

 freezing, and is used for food, fuel, and lights, as desired ; while 

 the same part of those taken in the spring and summer is put 

 in the skins of young Seals, and placed in earthen vaults, where 

 it keeps fresh until required for consumption. The residue of 

 the animal is tumbled into a reservoir, sunk below the surface 

 of the ground, where it is kept for the winter's supply of food 

 for the dogs, which live upon the frozen flesh and entrails of 

 the Seals, whose skin furnishes the tackle by which they trans- 

 port the primitive sledge over the snow-clad wastes of Siberia 

 and Kamschatka."* 







Since the foregoing was transmitted for publication I have 

 received from Captain Charles Bryant a very full account of 

 this species, based on his many years' observations as United 

 States Treasury Agent at the Fur Seal Islands, and kindly pre- 

 pared by my request for use in the present connection. Although 

 so much space has already been devoted to the history of this 

 species, it seems desirable to give Captain Bryant's report 

 nearly in full, although repeating in substance some of the 

 details which have already been presented, since it contains 

 some new points, and is at least based on long experience. 

 Some portions, relating especially to the products of the Sea 

 Lion and their uses, are omitted, since they are fully anticipated 

 by what has already been given. 



"From fifteen to twenty thousand Sea Lions," says Captain 

 Bryant, "breed annually on the Prybilov or Fur Seal Islands. 

 They do not leave the islands in winter, as do the Fur Seals, 

 to return in spring, but remain during the whole year. They 

 bring forth their young a mouth earlier than the Fur Seals, 

 landing during the months of May and June. They advance 

 but little above high tide-mark, and those of all ages land 

 together. The strongest males drive out the weaker and moiio- 



* Marine Mammalia, pp. 136-138. 



