142 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



Killing began on St. George June 9, and ceased July 16; twenty- two 

 days having been expended in completing the full catch of 20,000 (640 

 skins had been taken from "food seals " killed on that island before the 

 regular season commenced). 



The result of the entire year's killing on both islands, both by the 

 lessees for skins and by the native people for food, is presented in com- 

 pact form in the accompanying tabulated statement marked "A." ^ 



SHIPMENTS. 



The shipments of fur-seal skins made by the Alaska Commercial 

 Company since the close of the sealing season of 1880 have aggregated 

 99,960 and are specifically set out in the accompanying account current 

 marked "B,"^ and also in nine certificates, marked"froni C to L. This 

 account current, instead of being closed with May, as formerly, is 

 brought down so as to include the present season's shipments, and is 

 thus made to embrace two years' shipments. 



CONDITION OF THE FUR-SEAL LIFE. 



The appearance and condition of the breeding rookeries and hauling 

 grounds continue favorable, and there is no perceptible diminution in 

 the vast numbers of the seals. They were somewhat later than last 

 season in coming up from the sea to their customary haunts upon land, 

 owing, it is believed, to the coldness of the spring, and possibly, also, 

 in part to the presence in these waters of numerous "killer" whales. 



An unusual proportion of large young males appeared in the droves, 

 good evidence that the ranks of the breeding class are not being 

 thinned injuriously. As in former years, very considerable numbers of 

 full-grown bulls, believed to be both capable and willing, may be seen 

 throughout the breeding season prowling about on the ragged edges of 

 the harems, without families of their own, but " waiting and watching 

 over the border" for opportunities to invade the jiolygamous precincts 

 from which they had been expelled by their more powerful or deter- 

 mined fellows, in order to kidnap and carry off the coveted cows. 



The breeding rookeries show unmistakable expansion in many places, 

 their occupants steadily driving or crowding the young males (bachelors) 

 from their former resorts, and gradually forcing them to haul out upon 

 new ground. 



NUMBERS. — THE QUESTION OF INCREASE OR DECREASE. 



I shall not venture to state in figures, even approximately, the grand 

 aggregate of fur seals that annually visit these, their favorite resorts. 

 I can only say it is very great — a countless multitude — and is certainly 

 not diminishing. In my ox^inion, the increase or decrease of the seal 

 life is best shown by the ease or difficulty, relatively, with which the 

 annual catch is taken when the conditions under which the work is 

 done are substantially the s^ame, one year with another. The following 

 table, covering a period of eleven years, shows: (1) The number of 

 seal skins taken in each sealing season proper on St. Paul Island ; (2) the 

 number of days expended in the work; (3) the number of sealers en- 

 gaged; (4) the average number of skins taken per day, and (5) the 

 average daily catch per man engaged; and it is confidently submitted 

 as the most solid ground we have to stand upon in attempting an answer 

 to the inquiry, "Are the fur seals of Alaska increasing or diminishing 

 in numbers'?" 



^ Missing. 



