414 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



and September many vessels go from the coast villages to 

 Nova Zembla in search of seals, walruses, bears, and a small 

 species of salmon. Dolphins or porpoises are taken in abun- 

 dance, and there are extensive hunting-grounds. 6 A, Oc- 

 tober, 1874, 311. 



CLOSE TIME FOR THE CAPTURE OF SEALS. 



An attempt has just been made by the governments of 

 Great Britain and Norway to establish a close time for the 

 capture of young and old seals. It has heretofore been the 

 practice of those engaged in this trade to start out in March, 

 and commence the capture immediately. The result is the 

 destruction of large numbers of female seals while their young 

 are still on the ice, and incapable of taking care of themselves; 

 these young also perish, and, in consequence, the present 

 method of capture threatens extermination to the seals, or at 

 least their reduction to such limited numbers as to render 

 them of comparatively little commercial importance. It was 

 originally suggested that the 1st of April be fixed upon as 

 the day for the commencement of the pursuit. It is now 

 proposed, however, that it be the 5th or 6th instead. If the 

 young are captured later than this they are not only of 

 greater commercial value, but also, in the event of the loss of 

 the mother, they are better able to take care of themselves. 

 As to the time of closing the fisheries, it is suggested that 

 this need not be fixed, as after the middle of May the old 

 seals become very wild, and few can be captured, although 

 the 30th of June might be indicated as satisfactory. The 

 Norwegians do not seem inclined to accept the later date of 

 April, and the 3d of April is suggested as a compromise. 



BAD CONDITION OF THE HAIR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



Frank Buckland gives a report, obtained from Captain 

 Gray, of Peterhead, in regard to the hair-seal fisheries of the 

 North Atlantic during the year 1874. In this he states that 

 the yield has been less than at any previous period, and that 

 unless prompt measures are taken for its restoration the bus- 

 iness will become practically worthless. One of the most 

 successful in a fleet of thirty-three steam-vessels obtained but 

 2600 seals. At a conference with sailing captains, called by 

 the Board of Trade, the opinion was expressed that a close 



