THE FUR-SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 69 



advocates of the purchase of Russian-America, it is in itself highly creditable and interesting; to Senator Sumner 

 the friends of the acquisition of this territory in 1807, delegated the task of making the principal argument in its 

 favor. Everything that was written in strange tongues was carefully translated for the choice bits of mention 

 which could be found of Alaska's value. Hence his speech* on the subject possesses this interest: it is the 

 embodiment of everything that could be scraped together, having the faintest shadow of authenticity, by all of the 

 eager friends of the purchase, which gave the least idea of any valuable natural resources in Alaska ; therefore, 

 when, in summing all this up, he makes no reference whatever to the seal-islands, or the fur-seal itself, the 

 extraordinary ignorance at home and abroad relative to the Pnbylov islands can be well appreciated. 



Thoughts upon the possible movements of the fur-seals in the futuee. — As these animals live and 

 breed upon the Pribylov islands, the foregoing studies of their habit declare certain natural conditions of landing- 

 ground and climate to be necessary for their existence and perpetuation. From my surveys made upon the islands 

 to the north, St. Matthew and St. Lawrence, together with the scieutitic and corroborating testimony of those who 

 have visited all of the mainland coast of Alaska, and the islands contiguous, including the peninsula and the great 

 Aleutian archipelago, I have no hesitation in stating that the fur-seal cannot breed, or rest for that matter, on any 

 other land than that now resorted to, which lies within our boundary lines; the natural obstacles are insuperable. 

 Therefore, so far as our possessions extend, we have, in the Pribylov group, the only eligible land to which the fur- 

 seal can repair for breeding; and on which, at St. Paul island alone, there is still room enough of unoccupied 

 rookery-ground for the accommodation of twice as many seals as we find there to-day. But we must not forget a 

 very important prospect ; for, we know that to the westward, only TOO miles, and within the jurisdiction of Russia, 

 are two other seal-islands — one very large, on which the fur-seal regularly breeds also; and though from the meager 

 testimony in my possession, compared with St. Paul, the fur-seal life upon them is small, still, if that land 

 within the pale of the czar's dominion be as suitable for the reception of the rookeries as is that of St. Paul, then 

 what guarantee have we that the seal-life on Copper and Bering islands, at some future time, may not be greatly 

 augmented by a corresponding diminution of our own, with no other than natural causes operating"? Certainly, if 

 the ground on either Bering or Copper island, in the Commander group, is as well suited for the wants of the 

 breeding fur-seal as is that exhibited by the Pribylov islands, then I say confidently that we may at any time note 

 a diminution here and find a corresponding augmentation there; for I have clearly shown, in my chapter on the 

 habits of these animals, that they are not so particularly attached to the respective places of their birth, but that 

 they rather land with an instinctive appreciation of the fitness of that ground as a whole. 



Need of more definite knowledge concerning the Russian seal-islands. — If we, however, possess all 

 the best suited ground, then we can count upon retaining the seal-life as we now have it, by a vast majority, and, in 

 no other way; for it is not unlikely that some season may occur when an immense number of the fur-seals, which 

 have lived during the last four or five years on the Pribylov islands, should be deflected from their usual feeding- 

 range at sea by the shifting of schools of fish, and other abnormal causes, which would bring them around quite close 

 to the Asiatic seal-grounds, in the spring; and the scent from those rookeries would act as a powerful stimulant 

 and attraction for them to land there, where the conditions for their breeding may be just as favorable as they 

 desire. Such being the case, this diminution, therefore, which we would notice on the Pribylov group, might be the 

 great increase observed at the Commander islands, and not due to any mismanagement on the part of the men in 

 charge of these interests. Thus, it appears to me necessary that definite knowledge concerning the Commander 

 islands and the Kuriles should be gathered. 



If we find, however, that the character of this Russian seal land is restricted to narrow beach-margins, under 

 bluffs, as at St. George, then we shall know that a great body of seals will never attempt to land there when they 

 could not do so without suffering, and in violation of their laws, during the breeding-season. Therefore, with this 

 correct understanding to start on, we can then feel alarmed with good reason, should we ever observe any 

 diminution, to a noteworthy degree, on our seal-islands of Bering sea. 



Possible deflection of seals in feeding. — I do not call attention to this subject with the slightest idea 

 in my mind, as I write, of any such contingency arising, even for an indefinite time to come; but still I am sensible 

 of the fact that it is possible for it to occur any season. But the seals undoubtedly feed on their pelagic fields in 

 systematic routine of travel, from the time they leave the Pribylov islauds until that of their return ; therefore, in 

 all probability, unless the fish upon which they are nourished suddenly become scarce in our waters and soundings, 

 the seals will not change their base, as matters now progress; but it is possible for the finny shoals and schools 

 to be so deflected from their migration to and from their spawning-beds, as to carry this seal-life with it, as I have 

 hinted above. Thus it cannot be superfluous to call up this question, so that it shall be prominent in discussion, 

 and suggestion for future thought. 



Need of careful yearly examination. — In the meantime the movements of the seals upon the great 

 breeding-rookeries of St. Paul and those of St. George should be faithfully noted and recorded every year ; and as 

 time goes on this record will place the topic of their increase or diminution beyond all theory or cavil. 



* Speech on cession of Russian-America, U. S. Senate, 18G7 ; " Summary," p. 48. 



