192 PELAGIC SEALING. 



Woauding. tliG Seal having more motion the percentage of 

 those killed or stunned by the shot is much less 

 than when the sea is smooth;^ second, the con- 

 dition of the seal shot at, for if breeching, the 

 shot being at tlie body is not as liable to paralyze 

 the animal, though it may be as fatal as when 

 the seal is asleep on the water with only a portion 

 of its head exposed as a mark;'^ third, the skill 

 . of the hunter is also to be considered;^ and 

 fourth, Avhether or not the seals are wild and 

 hard to approach, in which case the hunter is 

 from necessity compelled to fire at long range. 

 The Indian hunters, with their spears, who are 

 forced to approach much nearer the game than a 

 white hunter armed with rifle or shotgun, speak 

 particularly of the increased timidity of the seals 

 since, firearms have been used in taking them.* 

 They also state that many seals taken by them 

 have shot imbedded in their bodies,^ and some are 

 badly wounded.^ This, besides being evidence 

 of the great number wounded and lost, naturally 

 tends to making the seals fearful of the approach 

 of man. Not only has the increase in the num- 



1 Jolin H. Dalton, Vol. II, p. 418; James Kiernaii, Vol. II, p. 450; 

 William Mclsaac, Vol. II, p. 461. 



2 T. T. Williams, Vol. II, p. 494, 504; Niles Nclsou, Vol. II, p. 469. 

 "Daniel Clausseu, Vol. II, p. 412; Luther T. Franklin, Vol. II, 



p. 425; .Tames Kiernau, Vol. II, p. 450; James Keau, Vol.11, p. 448. 

 ■< James Lighthouse, Vol. II, p. 389; Watkins, Vol. II, p. 395. 

 ^Wispoo, Vol. II, p. 397; James Lighthouse, Vol. II, p. 390. 

 ® James liighthouse, Vol. II, p. 390. 



