80 ARGUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Fourth. If the herd were exempt from any depredation by man, its 

 numbers would reach a point of equilibrium at which the deficiency of 

 food, or other permanent conditions, would prevent a further increase. 

 At this point, the animal being of -a polygamous nature, an annual draft 

 from nonbreeding males might be made by man of 100,000 — perhaps 

 a larger number — without causing any appreciable permanent diminu- 

 tion of the herd. 



Fifth. Omitting from view, as being inconsiderable, such killing of 

 seals as is carried on by Indians in small boats from the shore, there 

 are two forms of capture at present pursued: That carried on under 

 the authority of the United States upon the Pribilof Islands, and 

 that carried on at sea by vessels with boats and other appliances. 



Sixth. The killing at the Pribilof Islands if confined, as is entirely 

 practicable, to a properly restricted number of non-breeding males, and 

 if pelagic sealing is prohibited, does not involve any danger of the ex- 

 termination of the herd, or of appreciable diminution in its normal 

 numbers. It is far less expensive than any other mode of slaughter, 

 and furnishes the skins to the markets of the world in the best condi- 

 tion. The killing at these islands, since the occupation by the United 

 States, has been restricted in the manner above indicated. It has been 

 the constant endeavor of the United States to carefully cherish the 

 seals and to make no draft except from the normal and regular increase 

 of the herd. If there has at any time been any failure in carrying out 

 such intention, it has been from some failure to carry out instructions, 

 or want of knowledge respecting the condition of the herd. The United 

 States are under the unopposed influence of the strongest motive, that 

 of self-interest, to so deal with the herd as to maintain its numbers at 

 the highest possible point. The annual draft made at the islands since 

 the occupation of the United States has been until a recent period about 

 100,000. This draft would be in no way excessive were it the only one 

 made upon the herd by man. 



Seventh. Pelagie sealing has three inseparable incidents: 



(1) The killing can not be confined to males; and such are the greater 



facilities for taking females that they comprise three-fourths of the 



whole catch. 



