37 



beginning to suffer. This was once very important in 

 whalebone, whale oil, seal skins and walrus ivory, but 

 it has so far deteriorated as to almost ruin the coast 

 trades in this line, while more sadly still, the natives of 

 the northern coasts and islands have been reduced to 

 actual want through the wholesale destruction of the 

 once plentiful supply of animal life so peculiarly fitted 

 to meet their various needs. Without a natural supply 

 of wool or cotton, those which they possess being ob- 

 tained by trading, the fur seal furnished to them their 

 most comfortable garments and, next to the pelt of 

 the sea otter, their most valuaole trading staple. The 

 seal also bestowed upon them the oil which actually 

 was the only substitute for the milk, coffee, tea or 

 chocolate, without which we feel it would be impossible 

 to enjoy our meals. The fiesh rated second only to 

 fresh fish, and so precious was it that not a particle was 

 wasted. Now with those vast herds very nearly de- 

 pleted or frightened from their breeding grounds, what 

 must become of those people who depended upon 

 them for the necessities of existence ? 



So with the whale and the walrus — ereed of eain 

 has so over-grasped until hundreds of the nation's 

 wards must go hungry, houseless and scantily clothed, 

 simply because individuals or corporations have en- 

 deavored to sweep into their hands the whole supply 

 in a short time while prices were good. Xow whal- 

 ing vessels go and return unsuccessful, seals are al- 

 ready alarmingly scarce and walruses are rarely seen at 

 all ; partly because they are extremely cautious and 

 shy, but in greater part because their tusks excited 

 the cupidity of traders to the procuring of all animals, 

 whether mature and perfect in ivory or not. We are 

 rather too far away to hear the cry of distress among 

 the inhabitants of the northwestern islands, but com- 

 merce now discovers the grand mistake, perhaps too 



