THE SEALS. 153 



Ivevenue Marine Service, who visited the islands Disturbance of 



breeding seals. 



in 1890 and 1891, says: "All firearms were 

 forbidden and never have been used on these 

 islands in the killing and taking of seals ; in fact, 

 unusual noise, even on the ships at anchor near 

 these islands, is avoided. Visiting the rookeries 

 is not permitted only on certain conditions, and 

 anything that might frighten the seals is avoided. 

 The seals are never killed in or near the rook- 

 eries, but are driven a short distance inland to 

 grounds especially set apart for this work. I do 

 not see how it is possible to conduct the sealing 

 })rocess with greater care or judgment."^ Fire- 

 arms are not permitted to be used on the islands 

 from the time the first seal lands until the close 

 of the season.^ 



The number of seals allowed to be killed Number killed. 

 annually by the lessees was, from 1871 to 1889 

 inclusive, one hundred thousand,^ but this num- 

 ber is variable and entirely within the control of 

 the Treasury Department of the United States.* 

 In 1889 Charles J. Goff, then the Government 

 agent on the islands, reported to the Department 

 that he considered it necessary to reduce the 



' Vol. II, p. 414. 



2 J. C. Kedpatb, Vol. II, p. 150. 



3 .1. Stanley Brown, Vol. II, p. 18; II. G. Otis, Vol. II, p. 85. 

 ^ J. Stanley Brown, Vol. II, p. 16. 



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