SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE. 287 



one male of a large number of females is not new and is not the result 

 of excessive slaughter on the land. 



We are not left, however, to the statements, inconsistencies, and cita- 

 tions of the British Commissioners' report. The testimony of many 

 witnesses bears out the propositions stated in the Case of the United 

 States and disposes at the same time of the pretense that the bulls 

 are now compelled to. perform increased and exhaustive duty by reason 

 of a reduction in the number of young bulls. 



The fact seems to be well established that the bull is possessed of 

 extraordinary powers. He is able to subsist several months without 

 tasting food and to fertilize at the same time an almost indefinite num- 

 ber of cows. The limitation in the number of his harem depends gen- 

 erally upon his ability to secure a larger or smaller proportion of females. 

 He gathers about him as many cows as he can. Joseph Stanley-Brown 

 speaks on this subject from actual observation. He describes the 

 breeding bull as possessing ' : a vitality unsurpassed by any other mem- 

 ber of the animal kingdom." He testifies that the very large harems 

 were unfrequent and that the average number in the season immedi- 

 ately preceding w; .; about 20 to 25. (Appendix to Case of the United 

 States, Vol. II, p. 13). Charles Bryant places the average at 15 to 20 

 cows for each bull. (Ibid., p. 6.) Samuel Falconer testifies to having 

 seen 20 cows or more to a bull, but of course, he added, the exact num- 

 ber in a harem is a matter of conjecture, as many cows are absent in the 

 water alter the season has fairly commenced. (Tbid., p. 10(5.) T. F. 

 Morgan testifies that the bull returns to the island about the 1st of May 

 and hauls up to the breeding rookeries, provided he is able to maintain 

 himself there, which takes many bloody conflicts. There he (lathers 

 about him as many females as he is able. (Ibid., p. 3.) Capt. Olsen is 

 quoted by Theodore T. Williams as placing the number of females 

 served by one bull at 20 or 25 (ibid., p. 505.) 



The respective weights of the animals is placed in the Case of the 

 Uuited States at 400 to 700 pounds; that of the cows at 100 (pp. 107, 

 113). 



This great disparity in bulk should be borne in mind when we con- 

 sider the probability of pelagic copulation. 



The Encyclopedia Britannica states the weight of the animals sub- 

 stantially as it is stated in the testimony and case. The male seal is said 

 to weigh 500 to 700 pounds, the females 80 to 100, There seems to be 



