APPENDIX. 



COITION IN THE WATER. 



Aquatic coition is suggested by the British Commissioners. 



See Sees. 246, 205-297 of their report. 



But they do not claim ever to have seen it. 



They refer: 



{a) To '-four or five gentlemen". 



Who and wliere are they? What have they said? What do they 

 know ? They do not appear in the evidence taken in the British Counter 

 Case. What has become of them? 



(6) To "several intelligent and observant hunters". 



Who are they? Where are they? What have they said? Such 

 matter is not evidence: it is not even hearsay. 



(c) To Ca])tain Bryant. 



Bead what he says in "Monogrfiph of North American Pinnipeds"', 

 pp. .'>85 and 405. 



In his deposition (U. S. Case, App., Vol. II, p. 6) he says: 



In watching the seals while swimming about the islands, I have seen cases where 

 they appeared to be f opnlatitig in the water, but I am certain, even if this was the 

 case, that the propagation of the species is not as a rule effected in this way, the 

 natural and usual manner of coition being upon land. 



If Captain Bryant's statement in the Monograph be correct, most 

 ample proof of it should be forthcoming. But the evidence of those 

 most able to observe is directly to the contrary (see infra). 



(d) Professor Dall. 



The following evidence of this gentleman, published at page 350 of 

 the United States Counter Case, fully explains his former statement; 



I learn that I have been quoted in the report of the British Behring Sea Commis- 

 Bioners for the purpose of proving that coition at sea is practiced by the seals. In 

 connection therewith I Lave to say that my statements as to copulation in the water 

 rest largely upon assumption. Young bachelor seals are seen to chase females leav- 

 ing the rookeries and to play with them in the water; pairs of seals are seen engaged 

 in a sort of struggle together and to remain caressing each other or apparently qui- 

 escent, sonu'tiiues lor as much as an hour. Kroui such facts, which I myself with 

 others observed and reported, it was considered not unlikely thitt these seals were of 

 opposite sexes, and that they were engaged in copulation, and, in the absence of 

 definite information to the contrary at that time, I so stated. . . But it would be 

 dangerous to rely upon these observations thus casually made, at a time when sc^al 

 life was not so well understood as now, to prove that coition in the water is prac- 

 ticed. I never had an opportunity to assure myself that the pairs of seals seen play- 

 ing were of opposite sexes, or, if they were, tiiat their play was of <i sexual nature, 

 or if it was, that the act was complete and eft'ective. There does imt seem to be any 

 way in which any one of these matters can be definitely proved. Kven if they were 

 shown to bt' possible and to occur at times, the general belief in it by casual observ- 

 ers at one time, myself among the number, was always, as far as I know, couple^ 

 with the opinion that it was an exceptional aiid abnormal occurrence. 



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