VI CONTENTS. 



Cession of Alaska to the United States, etc.— Coiitinned. Page. 

 Eeport of Cougressional committee upon motives for purcLaso, and riglits 



thereby uuderstood to have been acqnired 75 



Eevenue received by the United States from fur industry acquired from 



Eussia 77 



Action of the United States relative to Alaska since the cession: 



Eights acquired from Eussia illustrated by subsequent action of United 



States 78 



Action of Congress r 78 



Action of the Executive 80 



Eevenue cutters sent to Bering Sea to protect fur-seal life 81 



Vessels seized in 188G and 1887 81 



Congress ratifies action of Executive 82 



President's proclamation 83 



Vessels seized in 1889 83 



The Modus Vivendi 83 



Action of United States courts 84 



Summary 84 



The United States do not rest their case altogether upon jurisdiction over 



Bering Sea 85 



PART SECOND. 



helating to the habits, preservation, and value of the alaskan seal herd, 

 and to the property of the united states therein. 



Habits of the Alaskan seal: 



ThoFribilof Islands 89 



Climate 00 



Home of the fur-seal 91 



St. Paul and St. GBorge 91 



" Breeding grounds " 91 



" Hauling grounds " 92 



Census of seal life impossible 93 



Determination of increase or decrease of seals 93 



TJie Alaskan, seal herd 94 



Distinction between Alaskan herd and Eussian herds 94 



Does not mingle with Eussian herd 96 



Classification 98 



The iuq)s 98 



Birth 98 



Inability to swim 99 



Aquatic birth impossible 102 



Birth on kelp beds impossible 104 



Poddinji 105 



