TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Page. 



The deponents, their positions, occupations, and experience ] 



relating to the habits, preservation, and value of toe alaskan seal herd, 

 and to the property of the united states therein. 



Habits of the Alaskan seal: 



The Pribilof Islands: 



Climate 77 



Home of the fur-seal 81 



St. Paul and St. George gg 



" Breeding grounds" §7 



" Hauling grounds " gg 



Census of seal life impossible gg 



Determination of increase or decrease of seals 91 



The Alaskan seal herd: 



Distinction between Alaskan herd aud Russian herd 92 



Does uot mingle with Russian herd 99 



Classification 1Q3 



The pups: 



Birtn 104 



Inability to swim 100 



Aquatic birth impossible Hq 



Birth on kelp beds impossible 12i 



Podding !24 



Locomotion on land. 



125 



Learning to swim 125 



Departure from the islands I27 



Dependence upon its mother 127 



vitality 130 



The hulls: 



Arrival at the islands 131 



Arrival of the cows 133 



Organization of the harems 134 



Powers of fertilization 137 



Coition 13g 



Fasting 1 40 



Disorganization of the rookeries 141 



Departure from the islands 142 



Vitality 142 



The cows: 



Age 142 



Harem life 143 



III 



