EVIDENCE OF DECREASE. 165 



Iiundred and forty thousand male seals had been increase, 

 destroyed in 1868, and that this increase took 

 place in spite of that slaughter and although one 

 hundred thousand male seals were taken annu- 

 ally upon the islands/ How this increase could 

 be recognized has been already mentioned in con- 

 nection with the question of estimating the number 

 of seals, and is best shown by the charts marked 

 A to K,^ which have been verified by those most 

 familiar with seal life during that period (1870 to 

 1881).^ That this increase in the seal herd was 

 undoubtedly the result of the methods and man- 

 agement emplo^^ed by the American Government 

 is a fact asserted ai d clearly proved.^ 



DECREASE OF THE ALASKAN SEAL HERD. 

 EVIDENCE OF DECEEASE. 



From the yeai- 1880 to the year 1884-85 Period of stag- 



_ '^ -^ iiiitiou. 



the condition of the rookeries showed neither 

 increase nor decrease in the number of seals on 

 the islands.^ In 1884, however, there was a 



i Loudon Trade Sales, Vol. II, p. 585; tables of seals taken, Vol. 

 II, pp. 127 and 172. 



- See portfolio of maps and charts and explanatory affidavits of 

 H. H. Mclntyre, Vol. II, p. 30; Charles Bryant, Vol. II, p. 3, and 

 J. Stanley Brown, Vol. II, p. 20. 



3H. H. Mclntyre, Vol. II, p. 44; Charles Bryant, Vol. II, p. 7; T. 

 F. Morgan, Vol. II, p. 64; S.iinnel Falconer, Vol. II, p. 167. 



"J. C. Cantwell, Vol. II, p. 408; H. CI. Otis, Vol. II, p. 87. 



6 J. Stanley Brown, Vol. II, p. 18; J. H. Monltou, Vol. II, p. 71; 

 H. A. Gliddeu, Vol. II. p. 109. 



