OKAL ARGUMENT OF SIR CHARLES RUSSELL, Q. C. M. P. 47 



Another matter that they point to which again is not nniniportant, 

 is that whereas there is a consensns of opinion aud evidence about the 

 more or less depleted condition of the islands, there is not the same 

 consensus of opinion as to the lesser number of seals to be found at 

 sea; which is rather a significant fact. It is common ground that the 

 numbers on the islands have diminished from their normal condition; 

 that there has been a marked decrease, and a marked decrease of par- 

 ticular kinds as to sex and as to age; but there does not seem to be 

 the same marked decrease in the number of seals perceived at sea; and 

 tlie Commissioners, not unfairly, as I suggest to the Tribunal, say that 

 that is one of the results of the system pursued upon the islands, that 

 these seals driven and redriven, as they have been, make their escape 

 to the sea, and do not return to the land. Except for the purpose of 

 breeding they do not require to return to the laud. I say that espe- 

 cially for the benefit of Senator Morgan because he thinks it is a neces- 

 sity of their nature that they sliould return to the island to get their 

 coat changed. I do not admit that that has been established as a sci- 

 entific fact at all. 



Senator Morg-an. — Sir Charles, in that connection, it has occurred 

 to me that there must be some definite way by which these experts, 

 or so called experts, can determine the age of a seal, and that relates 

 somewhat to the color of its coat; for instance that two-year-olds are 

 not of the same color as four-year-olds. They probably get at their 

 results by observing the change in the color of the seals, and in the 

 characteristics of its coat. 



Sir Charles Eussell. — I will tell you, without pledging myself to 

 be literally accurate, how that matter is upon the evidence. (Address- 

 ing the President) The Senator was asking me as to the evidence. Sir, 

 remarking with reference to the alteration of the i)elage, the age of 

 particular seals. The evidence, as I understand it, is in this iDosition. 

 When the pup is born, it is nearly black. 



Senator Morgan, — And has no fur. 



Sir Charles Kussell. — Or if so, very little. The impression is that 

 it has some downy fur ; but that may not be. It is nearly black. When 

 it gets older it becomes gray. Then when it gets into the yearling and 

 two-year-old and three-year-old class — I do not affirm positively — but 

 I am not aware that any distinction is pointed in the color of the coat 

 from two to three, four or five years of age; but when they get to an 

 advanced age, there are undoubtedly marked differences, and in the 

 case of males, one great difference is a hirsute appendage that it has, 

 its whiskers, etc. I will not commit myself positively to what I have 

 said, but I think, broadly speaking, that is about approximately cor- 

 rect. So far as the female is concerned, there is of course a difference 

 in size between a female of two years and a female of five or six years, 

 etc.; but I do not recall that there is any evidence of a difference in 

 the color of pelage between the female of two years old and a female of 

 greater age. 



Senator Morgan. — I think Mr. Elliott, in his capacity as an artist, 

 has drawn those descriptions pretty vividly. 



Sir Charles Russell. — In which. Sir; 1874 or 1890? 



Senator Morgan. Between the ages of 3, 3, 4, and 5. I merely wanted 

 to call attention to it. 



Sir Charles Russell. — We will see, Sir, if there is any more evi- 

 dence bearing upon it. 



Senator Morgan. — Then there is a period when they, like the Queen's 

 Counsel, begin to wear Avigs? 



