238 PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION. 



Un7)rotecte(irace, stands almost alone in the animal life of 



coudition. 



the world in being denied protection during the 

 necessary period of the reproduction of its spe- 

 cies. The review of the habits of the Alaskan 

 seal and of the practices of the pelagic hunters 

 has shown that for at least nine months of the 

 year this herd is exposed to the relentless and 

 untiring pursuit of the pelagic hunter, and that 

 during the remaining three months his hand is 

 only stayed by the inclemency of the weather 

 which renders pursuit impossible. And it has 

 been further shown that this pursuit is most active 

 and destructive at the time when the female seal 

 is approaching the season of the delivery of her 

 young, or when she is nursing the pup which is 

 entirely dependent upon the mother's milk for 

 sustenance. 

 Necessity of its ^\^q neccssitv of protection of this particular 



l»iotectiou. ./ i- 



herd is affirmed by numerous witnesses of every 

 deo'ree of experience and knowledge, including 

 leading naturalists of America and of many 

 European nations, those engaged in the sealskin 

 industry, both in the United States, Great Brit- 

 ain, and France, experienced sealers, and many 

 others conversant with seal life and the present 

 condition of the Alaskan herd. 



