ALONG THE COAST. 285 



Sea, and we had no trouble in getting- seals at that time, for they were 

 very plentiful and gentle, and would stand up and look at the hunters 

 until they shot them. You can not do that now. Seals have been grow- 

 ing very scarce within the last tew years, and it does not pay to fit out 

 sealing schooners. 



I don't know what to think about the schooners. Chief Frank, p. 280. 

 There is one thing certain, seals are getting scarce. 



There were not as many seals last year as there ^ 

 were the first years I went. Wm - Fraser > *• i21 ' 



There has been a great decrease in the number of seals to be seen in 

 the North Pacific and Bering Sea since I first 

 Went OUt to hunt them. Thos. Gibson, p. 432. 



To my knowledge, and from conversation with others, I can state 

 positively that seals have decreased rapidly in 

 numbers off the Pacific coast in the last five or six e. M. Greenleaf, p. 325. 

 years. A schooner used to secure from 700 to 1,400 



skins for a spring catch, whereas now, with all the improved appliances 

 of arms and vessels, the largest catch is less than 500. 



Q. Have you noticed any decrease in the quantity of animals in the 

 last few years ? — A. As I have not hunted on this chas _ a. Ragman p. 

 coast for several years I am unable to say. When 435. 

 I was there I saw no difference. 



Seals were not as plentiful along the coast this j a s. Harrison, p. 327. 

 year as they were in 1891. 



It is reported to me by Indians who hunt fur-seal that they are be- 

 coming very scarce. They have noticed decrease Jac Eartlisnuk m 

 m the last four years. 



Fur-seal are getting very scarce along this coast and Indian fur-seal 

 hunters have great trouble in getting any now, 

 while in former years they got plenty. Sam Hayikahtla,p. 239. 



Q. Have you noticed any decrease in the quantity of animals in the 

 last few years'? In other words, do you find them 

 as plenty now in the last year or two as you used h. Harmsen,p. 442. 

 to? — A. Of course not. They are not so plentiful, 



that is sure. Iu 1880 we got 2,100 seals. Now you couldn't get 300 in 

 the same time. 



I have noticed a decrease in number of seals from year to year in the 

 waters of the Bering Sea since about 1880, and for 

 the last three years the decrease has been very j. m. Hays, p. 26. 

 rapid. Up to about 1881 the Bering Sea around 



the Pribilof Islands, and between said islands and the passes, was 

 swarming with seals during the breeding season, but for the last few 

 years the decrease in numbers has been so marked that I could not fail 

 to notice it. 



