262 THE SEALS. 



As my observations extended over a period of time sufficient for the 

 growth and full development of individuals! was enabled to determine 

 with a greater degree of accuracy the effect of the operations of the 

 company generally, as well as to follow specifically to result, various 

 matters of detail, all of which were based upon the experience and 

 methods of the Russian American Company as practically known to 

 captain Niebaum, general manager of the business of the lessees, and 

 to the chiefs and other permanent residents of the islands. 



Grounds occupied by the seals as " breeding rookeries " or "hauling 

 grounds" are filled with a degree of uniformity each year; hence the 

 area occupied is a very sure criterion in estimating numbers, whether 

 of "bulls" or females with their young, or young males, or of mixed 

 young (yearlings) of both sexes, and the fact of there being a constant 

 increase as above mentioned was fully established by the constant en- 

 largement, year after year, of the space so filled. 



To myself, as having the interest of my employer at heart, the health- 

 ful condition of the " rookeries " and their con- 

 H. TV. Hclntyre, p. 135. stant expansion was a source of gratification in 

 all respects, and especially as in full evidence that 

 the business was conducted on correct principles. Of this I am fully 

 convinced, and were I to have occasion to assume control of the seal 

 interest (outside destruction being prevented), I should most assuredly 

 follow the precedent established by the Alaska Commercial Company 

 during the first ten years of its lease of the islands. 



The area of •' rookeries " constantly expanding was filled with ani- 

 mals evidently healthy and strong; vigorous 

 H. W. Mdntyre,p. 137. males were in abundance, as shown by the increase 

 of young, and by the fact that the number of 

 barren females was not increased. Superannuated males were found 

 as usual, but during the time of my residence no unusual lack of health 

 or vigor was seen among the seals of whatever class or age. 



When our lease of the Commander Islands took effect m 1870, the 

 annual catch of seals would not exceed 15,000 

 John Malowansky, p. without injury to the herd. There was no maxi- 

 197 (Commander Islands), mum limit in our lease as to the number we were 

 allowed to kill, but under the method adopted by 

 the company in taking seals, only young males with merchantable- 

 sized skins were killed. Under this system the seals increased so rap- 

 idly that in 1887 we had no trouble in obtaining 45,000 skins per annum 

 without injury to the herd. 



It is an actual fact beyond dispute that female seals were much more 



numerous on the islands in 1883 than they were 



John Malowansky, p. in 1870. The increase was gradual each year and 



199 (Commander Islands). was so marked that the natives often spoke of it 



to me. 



That during the years 1808 and 1809, and from May to July, 1874, I 

 was located on St. Paul Island, and also from 

 T.F.Morgan, p. 59. July, 1882, to May, 1883; that during the re- 

 mainder of the time 1 was upon said islands I was 

 resident on St. George Island; that during my residence on said islands 

 I examined frequently the breeding rookeries on the island where I 



