296 



Conclusion. 



Uerd. 



lu crease. 



ChaiaL-teris tics that itS COUl'SG wllGll absGllt frOm tlieSG islands IS 

 of the Al a sk Jiu 



uniform and confinGd principally to watGrs adja- 

 cent to tliG coast of tliG United States ; that it 

 never mingles with any other herd, and if driven 

 from these islands would probably perish ; that 

 at all times, when in the water, the identity of 

 each individual can be established with certainty, 

 and that at all times, whether during its short 

 excursions from the islands in search of food or 

 its longer winter migration, it has a fixed intention, 

 or instinct, which induces it to return thereto. 



Second. That under the judicious legislation 

 and management of the United States, this seal 

 herd increased in numbers and in value ; that 

 the present existence of the herd is due wholly to 

 the care and protection exercised by the United 

 States and by Russia, the former owner of these 

 islands ; but that the killing of seals in the water, 

 which is necessarily indiscriminate and wasteful, 

 and whereby mostly female seals are taken while 

 pregnant or nursing, has so reduced the birth-rate 

 that this herd is now rapidly decreasing in. num- 

 bers ; that this decrease began with the increase 

 of such pelagic sealing, and that the extermina- 

 tion of this seal herd will certaiidy take place in 

 the near future, as it already has with other 

 herds, unless such slaughter be discontinued. 



Decrease. 



