ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 183 



tion of the fur of Callorhinus may, perhaps, be best presented in the 

 following manner : 



One-year-old male, well grown, at Jnly 1 of every season: Fur fnlly developed 

 as to uniform length and thickness and evenness of distribution. It is lighter in color 

 and softer in texture than hereafter during the life of the animal. Average weight 

 of skin as removed by the sealers from the carcass, 4 J pounds. 



Two-year-old male, well grown, at .Tune 1 of every season: Fur fully developed 

 as toe veu length and thickness and uniformity of distribution. It has now attained 

 the darker bviff and fawn color, sometimes almost brown, which it retains through- 

 out the rest of the life of the animal. It is slightly and perceptibly firmer and 

 stiffer than it was last year, not being at all " fluffy "' as in the yeazding dress now. 

 Average weight of skin, as taken from the body, Hi pounds. 



Three-year-old male, well grown, at June 1 of every season: Fur fully devel- 

 oped, as to even length, but a shade longer over the shoulders, where the incipient 

 ' ' wig '" is forming; otherwise perfectly uniform in thickness and even distribution. 

 This is the very best grade of pelt which the seal affords during its life. Average 

 weight of skin, as taken from the body, 7 pounds. 



Four-year-old male, well grown, at June 1 of every season: Fur fully developed 

 as to even length, except a decided advance in length and perceptible stiffness 

 over the shoulders in the "wig;" otherwise jierfectly uniform in thickness and 

 even distribution. This grade is almost as safe to take and as good as is the three- 

 year-old. Average weight of skin as removed, 13 pounds. 



Five-year-old male, well grown, at May to June 1 of every season: Fur fully 

 developed, but much longer and decidedly coarser in the " wig" region; other- 

 wise uniform in thickness and distribution. The coarseness of the fur over the 

 shoulders and disproportionate length thereon destroys that uniformity necessary 

 for rating A 1 in the market; in fact, it does not pay to take this skin. Average 

 weight, io pounds. 



Six-year-old male, well grown, from May to June 1 of every season: Fur fully 

 developed, still longer, and stiffer in the "wig "region, with a slightly thinner 

 distribution over the post-dorsal region, and shoi-ter. This skin is never taken; it 

 is profitless. Average weight, 25 pounds. 



Seven-year-old and upvN^ard male, from May to June 1 of every season: Fur fully 

 developed, but very unevenly distributed, being relatively scant and short over 

 the posterior dorsal region, while it is twice as long and very coarse in the cover- 

 ing to the shoulders especially and the neck and chest. Skins are valueless to the 

 fur trade. Weights, 45 to 60 pounds. 



The analysis, as above, is a brief epitome of the entire subject; 

 only it should be added that the female skins are as finely furred as 

 are the best grades of the males; and also, that age does not cause 

 the quality of their pelage to deteriorate, which it does to so marked 

 an extent in the males. But, taking them into consideration is 

 entirely out of the question, and ought to be so forever. 



The foetal coat of the pup is composed of coarse black hair alone, 

 the under wool not at all developed. When this is shed and the new 

 coat put on in September and October, it is furred and haired as a 

 yearling, which I diagnose above; this pelage has, however, no com- 

 mercial value. 



All the skins taken hy the company for the last eight j^ears have 

 been prime skins, in the fair sense of the term; but all the seal-skin 

 sacks made therefrom have not been of the first quality by any means. 



In order tliat the rules and regulations and the law governing and 

 protecting the interests of the Government on these islands nmy be 

 fully understood, I embody them in the appendix. 



Oil of the pur seal. — I have spoken of the blubber, and as I 

 mentioned it doubtless the thought will occur. What becomes of the 

 oil contained therein — is it all allowed to waste? A most natural 

 query and one that I made instantly after my first arrival on the 

 islands. I remember seeing 40 or 50 hogsheads and tierces headed up 

 and standing near the foot of the village hill, in which were many 

 thousands of gallons of fur-seal oil. I asked the agent of the com- 

 pany when he was going to ship it. lie shrugged his shoulders and 

 said, "As soon as it Vv'ili pay." 



