234 ARGUMENT OP THE UNITED STATES. 



characteristics of tlie animals, lie stated the result of his efforts to 

 ascertain the truth in this respect: 



I learned that fur-seals of the species CallorMnus ursinus do breed 

 and haul out at the Commander Islands and " Bobben Reef," but the 

 statements made to me were unanimous that they are a separate herd, the 

 pe~ of which is readily distinguished from that of the Pribilof herd, and 

 that the two herds do not intermingle. 



Isaac Liebes, a fur merchant of twenty-three years standing, residing 

 at San Francisco, claims to have handled more raw fur-seal skins than 

 any other individual in the United States or Canada and more than 

 any firm or corporation except the lessees of the sealeries of the Pribilof 

 and Commander Islands. His whole deposition, based as it is upon 

 long practice and experience, may be read with profit. On the subject 

 of the differences between the skins of animals belonging to the re- 

 spective herds, he says: (ibid., p. 445.) 



The seals to which I have reference are known to myself and to the 

 trade as the Northwest Coast seals, sometimes called "Victorias." 

 This herd belongs solely to the Pribilof Islands, and is easily distinguish- 

 able by the fur from the fur-seals of the other northern rookeries, and 

 still easier from those of the south. All expert sealskin assorters are able 

 to tell one from the other of either of these different herds. Each has its 

 own characteristics and values. 



To the same effect is the deposition of Sidney Liebes, a fur dealer of 

 San Francisco. He had been engaged in the fur business for the last 

 six years, at the time of testifying. He testified in substance, as did 

 the other witnesses, as follows (ibid., p. 516): 



My age is 22. 1 reside in San Francisco, and am by occupation a 

 furrier, having been engaged in that business for the last six years. 

 I have made it my business to examine raw seal-skins brought to this 

 city for sale, and am familiar with the different kinds of seal-skins in 

 the market. I can tell from an examination of a skin whether it has 

 been caught on the Russian or American side. I have found that the 

 Russian skins were flat and smaller, and somewhat different in color 

 in the under wool, than those caught on the American side. In my 

 opinion they are of an inferior quality. The Alaska skins are larger 

 and the hair is much liner. The color of the under wool is also differ- 

 ent. I have no difficulty in distinguishing one skin from the other. 1 

 am of opinion that they belong to an entirely separate and distinct 

 herd. In my examination of skins offered for sale by sealing schooners 

 I found that over !>0 per cent were skins taken from females. The 

 sides of the female skins are swollen, and are wider on the belly than 

 those of males. The teats are very discernible on the females, and it 

 can be plainly seen where the young have been suckling. The head of 

 the female is also much narrower. 



