OVERDRIVING AND REDRIVING. 249 



and were allowed to escape from among the "killable" herd, and 

 it was the subject of frequent remark that these seals so frequently 

 driven became accustomed to the presence of man, and evidently 

 acquired confidence from the fact that they were not harmed, so far 

 that on being separated from the herd they appeared unconcerned; 

 and not worried or frightened, but would leisurely return to the place 

 whence driven, and, without taking to the water, as is their habit when 

 frightened, would remain until, on the arrival of others in sufficient 

 numbers, they were again driven, only to be released and returned as 

 before. 



These repeated drivings did not apparently injure the animals in the 

 least. Injuries through accident resulted at intervals, but most of 

 those were slight, and recovery soon followed. That the driving of the 

 seals as practiced, whether more or less frequently, did not result in- 

 juriously to the breeding, is abundantly proven by the results noted 

 after the lapse of several years. 



I was first chief from 1884 to 1891, all through the years of the de- 

 crease and controversy, and it has been my duty 

 to inspect the rookeries and seals from time to time j. Melovedoff, p. 143. 

 and to report the condition of both to the Gov- 

 ernment and company agents. It has been my duty to thoroughly in- 

 form myself of the number of male seals — bachelors — on each rookery, 

 and to select the grounds to be driven from every killing day through- 

 out each killing season, and I believe I never allowed the seals to be 

 overdriven or the drives to be made too often. 



While I was on the islands I am convinced that the propagation of 

 seal life was never affected in the slightest degree 

 by redriving or overdriving. The killing grounds j. h. Moulton, p. 72. 

 were near the water, so that the seals let go from 



the killing could easily return to that element, and these killing grounds 

 were established as near the hauling grounds as it is possible to do 

 without having the odor from the carcasses disturb the breeding seals. 

 Teams and boats were also used to transport the skins to the salt 

 houses, so that the killing grounds could be located much nearer the 

 hauling grounds than before this means of transportation was provided. 



It was a very rare occurrence for a seal to be killed by overdriving. 

 I never saw or heard of a seal being injured by 

 driving or redriving, and I am certain that the B. F. Scribner, p. 90. 

 reproductive organs of a seal were never injured 



by any such means. The idea that the virility of a male seal was im- 

 paired by driving or redriving is preposterous, for a male seal which 

 can survive fasting for three months, and tike serious wounds and vio- 

 lent exertions of conflicts on the rookeries, besides serving so many 

 females, could stand almost any amount of driving while a bachelor. 



I never saw or heard of the generative organs of a male seal being 

 injured by redriving, and it seems to me to be 

 utterly absurd that anyone could think that an w. B. Taylor, p. 177. 

 animal with such wonderful vitality as is possessed 



by the male seal could be injured or his reproductive powers impaired 

 by driving or redriving. If such a thing should occur it would be at 

 once noticeable, for the impotent bull would certainly haul up with the 



