3G2 REPORTS OF BERING SEA COMMISSION. 



Male seals not TliG assumptioii thatdriving: is seriouslv iniuri- 



injnrcd by 'driv- ^ ^ J •> 



^^&-' ous to the reproductive powers of the male is 



doubtless unfounded, being quite contrary to the 

 declared belief of Captain Webster and other 

 sealers of long experience. Against every asser- 

 tion of this kind it is only necessary to put the 

 fact that there is no evidence of a lack of virility 

 on the rookeries, but, on the contrary, it is evi- 

 dent that there is a surplus of it at the present 

 time, unless, indeed, it is assumed that harems 

 are defended and held against the most ferocious 

 attacks, often at a loss of much blood and muscle, 

 by impotent seals. 

 Management. ggal killing ou the Pribilof Islands has been 



and is conducted on the theory outlined above, 

 that the male seal only should be killed, and of 

 these a limited number whose age falls within 

 certain narrow limits, and that the female should 

 be spared at all hazards. The same principle 

 controls the killing on the Commander Islands, 

 and, as far as we know, wherever and whenever 

 the operation has been subjected to intelligent 

 control. Where these restrictions have not been 

 applied the life of the herd was generally short 

 and the commercial destruction complete. 



The picture presented by pelagic sealing is of 

 a different character. 



