DISTINCTION BETWEEN HERDS. 95 



the seals found on the Komandorski Island; that said Sniegeroff at once 

 replied that there was difference and on further questioning stated that 

 such difference consisted in the fact that the Komandorski Island seals 

 were a slimmer animal in the neck and flank than the Pribilof Island 

 seals, and further that both the hair and fur of the Komandorski Island 

 seal were longer than the Pribilof Island seal; said Commissioners 

 asked said Sniegeroff the further question, whether he believed that 

 the Pribilof herd and Komandorski herd ever mingled, and he replied 

 that he did not. 



I was formerly, as I have stated, interested in the Commander seal 

 islands, as well as those of Alaska. The two herds 

 are separate and distinct, the fur being of differ- Gustave Niebaum, p. 78. 

 ent quality and appearance. The two classes of 

 skins have always been held at different values in the London market, 

 the Alaskas bringing invariably a higher price than the Siberias of the 

 same weight and size of skins. 1 think each herd keeps upon its own 

 feeding grounds along the respective coasts they inhabit. 



While the Alaska and Northwest coast skins are taken from the 

 same species or herd of seals, I am convinced that 

 the Copper skins are taken from seals of a differ- John J. Phelan, p. 519. 

 ent herd. I have noticed the difference in the 



skins, both in their raw state and during the processes of dressing. The 

 hair of the Copper skin is shorter, thinner, and generally of a some- 

 what darker color than that of the Alaska or Northwest coast skins, 

 and in most cases the difference in shape is sufficiently marked to 

 enable me to distinguish them by that means alone. 



The difference between the Copper and the other skins is still more 

 marked during the processes of dressing. It is very much more diffi- 

 cult to unhair a Copper skin. Furthermore, the pelts of the copper 

 skins are less porous than those of the other skins. While preparing 

 skins for dressing it is necessary to " work" them and open the pores 

 in order to "leather" them, and it is during this process that I have 

 noticed the fact that Copper skins are much less porous than the others. 

 The pelt being harder and stiff'er and the hair more brittle we can 

 hardly ever unhair a Copper skin as satisfactorily as we can the other 

 skins. 



That the three classes of skins above mentioned are easily distinguish- 

 able from each other by any person skilled in the 

 business or accustomed to handling skins in the Henry Poland, p. 571. 

 raw state. That deponent has personally handled 

 the samples of the skins dealt in by this firm, and would himself have 

 no difficulty in distinguishing the skins of the Copper Island catch 

 from the skins of the Alaska and Northwest catch, by reason of the 

 fact that in the raw state the Copper Island skins have a lighter color 

 and the fur is rather shorter in pile and of an inferior quality. The 

 skins of each of the three classes have different values and command 

 prices in the market. 



The skins of the Russian side are much coarser than those of the 

 American side, and the fur is a little darker; 

 more of a cherry color. The top hair is darker, chas. W. Price, p. 521. 

 The seals on the Russian side are a distinct and 

 different herd froin those on the American side and are not as valuable. 



