THE SEALS. 159 



little more exercise than they appeared to take Overdriving aud 



ledriviug. 



when left to themselves."^ Anton Melovedoff, 

 an educated native of St. Paul Island, and for 

 seven years First Chief on the island, after stating 

 the fact that before the American occupation the 

 seals were driven sometimes twelve and one-hlilf 

 miles, says, '' No one ever said in those days that 

 seals were made impotent by driving, although 

 long drives had been made for at least fifty 

 years."^ Mr. Samuel Falconer, in speaking of 

 this question of redriving, says : " When we con- 

 sider that the bulls, while battling on the rooker- 

 ies to maintain their positions, cut great gashes 

 in the flesh of their necks and bodies, are covered 

 with gaping wounds, lose great quantities of 

 blood, fast on the islands for three or four months, 

 and then leave the islands, lean and covered with 

 scars, to return the following season fat, healthy, 

 and full of vigor to go through again the same 

 mutilation, and repeating this year after year, the 

 idea that driving or redriving, which can not 

 possibly be as severe as their exertions during 

 a combat, can affect such unequal vigor and 

 virility is utterly preposterous and ridiculous."^ 

 Capt. Moulton, after eight years' experience on the 



1 Vol. II, p. 1. 



2 Vol. II, p. 142. 



3 Vol. II, p. 162. See also Daniel Webster, Vol. 11, p. 183. 



