656 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



physicist, Dr. Dawson a geologist, and Sir Baden-Powell something 

 of a sportsman. Dr. Merriam alone, a mammalogist of the first rank, 

 was a scientific expert in any proper sense. 



Moreover, the investigations conducted by the two commissions 

 were, from a scientific point of view, of the nature of a farce. Less 

 than two weeks were spent upon the islands, and that at a date 

 in the season least favorable of all for observations. This meant that 

 the greater part of their information was got second-hand by the 

 commissioners. 



In marked contrast to the findings of the joint meeting is the 

 individual report of the American commission, prepared largely by 

 Dr. Merriam. This stands out as a notable contribution to the sub- 

 ject of which it treats. Though largely a compilation, so well was 

 the work of sifting and weighing evidence done, that not a single 

 statement of fact in it has proved fallacious, and the more exhaustive 

 investigations of 1896 and 1897 corroborate its conclusions in every 

 particular. This was the work of the true " scientific expert," and 

 he can ask no better vindication. The joint commission contained 

 " experts " of another sort, and its report was necessarily different. 



The second Bering Sea Commission came into existence in much 

 the same way as the first. An agreement was reached in 1896 be- 

 tween the two nations whereby the entire fur-seal question should 

 become the subject of a new investigation. This agreement was the 

 outgrowth of dissatisfaction on the part of the United States with 

 the workings of the regulations of the Paris award. 



The new investigation was begun at once and extended through 

 the seasons of 1896 and 1897, and again the experts were called to- 

 gether at Washington to agree, if possible, on a joint statement of 

 fact. The scope of the investigation and the object of the joint meet- 

 ing are succinctly stated in the following words quoted in the pre- 

 amble of the commission's report : " To arrive, if possible, at correct 

 conclusions respecting the numbers, conditions, and habits of the seals 

 frequenting the Pribilof Islands at the present time as compared with 

 the several seasons previous and subsequent to the Paris award." 



In the commission of 1897 the United States were represented 

 by Dr. David S. Jordan and Hon. Charles S. Hamlin; Great Britain, 

 by Prof. D'Arcy W. Thompson and Mr. James M. Macoun. It con- 

 vened on the 10th of November and concluded its labors on the 17th, 

 reaching a full and satisfactory agreement. 



It will best serve our purpose to give the final report of the com- 

 mission of 1897 in full. Two reasons make this appropriate: First, 

 the substance of the sixteen concisely worded propositions of which 

 it is made up can scarcely be stated in fewer words than the original. 

 In fact, instead of condensing them, it will be necessary to amplify 



