112 HABITS OF THE ALASKAN SEAL, 



Disorg.mizntion ^f|-gj. ^\i ^j^g ^^^y^ \^^yQ |^g^n fertilized and 



01 tlic rookeries. 



the pups begin to form into "pods," the order 

 formerly existing on the breeding grounds gives 

 place to disorder. The bulls no longer restrain 

 the cows in their movements, and the rookeries 

 become disorganized.^ 



Some of the bulls at this time (about the 1 st of 

 Departure fiom Aug^ust) bco^iu to leave the islands, and continue 



is lauds. & / & ' - 



going till the early part of October.^ They 

 are very lean and lank after their long fast, but 

 the following May return to the rookeries as 

 thickly enveloped in blubber and as vigorous as 

 the former season.^ 

 Vitality. The bull scal must necessarily possess almost 



unsurpassed powers of vitality and virility to 

 remain for such a period without nourishment of 

 any sort, .and still be able to fertilize so many 

 females. 



THE cows. 



The cows or breedings- female seals are much 

 smaller than the bulls, the average Aveight being 



1 J. Stanley Browu, Vol. II, p. IG; T. F. Morgan, Vol. II, p. 63; 

 Aggie Kusbin, Vol. II, p. 130; John Fratis, Vol. II, p: 10^:. 



2H. H. Mclutyre, Vol. II, p. 42; Samuel Falconer, Vol. II, p 1G6; 

 Anton Melovedoff, Vol. II, p. 144; Aggie Knshin, Vol. II, p. 129. 



3T. F. Morgan, Vol. II, p. G3; II. H. Mclntyre, Vol, II, p. 43; J. 

 C. Redpath, Vol. II, p. 148, 



