238 REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 



ApparenTfy tlie tjikiiig of seals is at present prohibited by law, as nlso the work- 

 in*? ibr i)rotit of any natural product of the south coasts, tliough it is implied that 

 before very long certain fishery privileges may be conferred in various quarters not 

 as yet named. 



I believe there is an extensive industry in the seal fishery off Maldonado, near 

 Monte Video, and, in fact, I well remember, twenty-five years or so ago, that those 

 concerned in the lishery gravely petitioned the (jlovernmeut that the lighthouse at 

 Maldonado should bo closed, as the light appeared to alarm the seals. 

 1 have, &c. 



(Signed) F. Fakenham. 



MR. FAKENHAM TO SENOR COSTA. 



IJuENos Ayres, Scpfemhrr 13, 189!. 

 M. i,K Ministre: I have the honour to place in your Excellency's hands a copy of 

 a Circular issued by the Department of Fisheries of the Dominion of Canada, and 

 which Lord Salisbury has directed me to lay before the Argentine Government, with 

 the i-eqnest that, if it is possible, they will kindly furnish the information therein 

 asked, which is to the effect that fears being now seriously entortnined as to the 

 total destruction of the fur-seal, or sea-bear, a series of queries has been issued on 

 this interesting subject with a view to their protection. 



I have therefore the honour to request that your Excellency will kindly cause 

 steps to bo taken to obtain the desired information as to the pursuit, capture, or 

 preservation of these valuable animals in Argentine waters for transmission to the 

 Govex'nor-General of the Dominion. 

 1 avail, &c. 



(Signed) F, Fakenham. 



8EN0R ZEBALLOS TO MR. PAKENIIAM. 



[Translation.] 



Buenos Ayres, Dccemhcr 14, 1S91. 

 SeSor Ministro: In reply to your note addressed to my distinguished predecessor 

 on the 12th September last, I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the tak- 

 ing of seals, as also the working for profit ("exploitacion '') of any natural product 

 of the south coasts, is prohibited by law, and for a long time this has been the case 

 with this branch of national industry. 



Further, from what I can judge of the case, I ara able to tell your Excellency that 

 the Executive Power has asked Congress for authority to concede some fishing con- 

 cessions to certain persons, who will be obliged to supply the necessary information 

 for the publication of the i^rojects presented to the Legislative Body. 

 I avail, &c. 



(Signed) Estanislao Zeuallos. 



169 Memorandum on the Seal Fishery in Urnrjnaij, hij Mr. Ernest Safow. 



The seal fishery in the Republic of Uruguay is carried on at three points on the 

 Atlantic coast, namely, Lobos Island, at the entrance to the Rio de la Plata, at the 

 Castillos Islands further north, and at Coronilla group, near the Brazilian frontier. 



Two kinds of seals are known there, namely, the fur-seal, and the connnou single- 

 hair seal. The male of the latter species is large, and of a dark brown colour, while 

 the female is much smaller, and of a yellow colour. 



At Lobos Island there is an establishment for steaming down the oil and salting tlie 

 skins, besides huts for the accommodation of the sealers who live there during the 

 killing season. 



At the highest point of the island is a large " corral," or iuclosure, capable of hold- 

 ing several thousand seals. When not engaged in killing, the sealers remain in the 

 vicinity of their huts, but when the superintendent sees a favourable opportunity, 

 which happens usually during cold winds from the southeast, in conse(|ueuce of the 

 seals coming high up out of the water, he sends the men down to intercept them, and 

 by making loud noises to drive them into the corral. Then, as convenience suits, a 

 certain number of seals are let out by a door on the opposite side to that by which 

 they entered, and driven to the killing ground, where they are quickly dispatched 



