140 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



tration of their varied ability. This work included the building of a bridge 168 feet 

 long, including approaches; the remodehng, painting, and shingling of a large number 

 of buildings, including dwelling houses, shops and offices; the laying of several concrete 

 floors, pavements, and boat ways; and a great variety of minor jobs of carpentry, such 

 as desks, book shelves, and filing cabinets. The women, under the instruction of the wives 

 of the agents and others, have become expert dressmakers, and make a large part of 

 their own and their childrens' clothing, and some of them do lacework and embroidery 

 of a high order of merit. 



It will be necessary in order to put the sealing plant on an efficient basis to do a 

 great deal of work of a varied character during the next few years, and in most of this 

 work the natives may well be employed. After the resumption of commercial sealing 

 most of the available force will be needed during June and July on the actual work of 

 taking the skins, but during the spring and autumn the other work necessary may 

 gradually be accomplished. 



During the incumbency of the Alaska Commercial Co. about 75,000 seals were 

 taken annually on St. Paul Island. All the work of driving, kilUng and skinning this 

 large number was done by about 70 men in from 40 to 50 working days. In late years, 

 owing to the small number of seals killed, the ability of the natives has undeniably 

 lessened, and care will be necessary to restore their old-time skill. 



KNOWLEDGE OF SEALS OVERESTIMATED. 



The native's knowledge of seals has been greatly exaggerated. It is, of course, 

 undeniable that a native who has lived all his life among these animals acquires a great 

 deal of information, but the average white man similarly situated would learn far more. 

 Much of the lack of definite knowledge which has alwa3's prevailed, and which has been 

 the source of a great deal of trouble, is due to the fact that agents and others in charge 

 have been too ready to rely on the statements of the natives instead of ascertaining the 

 real facts for themselves. The belief that he is supposed to know all about the seals 

 gives the average native an exaggerated idea of his value in this regard and causes 

 him to underestimate the true value of exact observation. An instance of this tendency 

 came to our attention in August, 1914. It was wished to make a drive from Reef 

 Rookery, but the natives reported only a very few seals there, and said that it would 

 be impossible to get a sufficient number. Our observations convinced us that this 

 was an error and the drive was ordered, with the result that 1,600 bachelors were easily 

 found. This may have been a case of deception rather than ignorance, or more probably 

 a combination of the two, but it illustrates the fact that irf matters requiring exact 

 information it is unwise to rely wholly upon the natives. A white man soon learns 

 to know as much of seals as the average native, and his judgment regarding seals, as of 

 other matters, is greatly superior. For the work of killing, skinning, and curing, how- 

 ever, the services of the natives can not well be spared. 



PROPOSED REMOVAL OF NATIVES IMPRACTICAL. 



The removal of the inhabitants to a reserve elsewhere has been suggested, but the 

 proposal is subject to numerous objections. These islands constitute the only home 

 that the inhabitants know, and almost without exception each one thinks that the 

 Pribilof group in general, and his own island in particular, is the best place on earth. 



