432 LETTERS OF NATURALISTS. 



commerce in a close contact with science. This becomes quite a neces- 

 sity, like in the present case, in which commercial customs, even inter- 

 national agreements, laws, etc., become insufticieut to secure a sound 

 decision. Such scientific investigations can supply the desired con- 

 clusions ; they do advice the measures to be taken, and provide the basis 

 upon which an international understanding cau be established. 



Eegarding the object of your researches I indorse your opinion, that 

 the decrease of the numbers of the fur seal on the Pribilof Islands has 

 been caused by i)elagic sealing in the K'orth Pacific and in the Bering- 

 Sea, and that this taking of the seals at sea has to be stojjped as early 

 as possible. 



To restore in time the numbers of animals of former years, I take the 

 liberty to name the following measures for the sake of consideration: 



A. Concerning certain agreements with other powers. 



1. A mutual understanding upon the question between the United 

 States, Eussia, and Japan. These three states are concerned prima 

 loco in this matter as being the jiroprietors of the breeding places as 

 well, like also of the fishing grounds of the said animals during their 

 yearly wanderings to and fro. 



2. For the sake of brevity in action and a speedy settlement, these 

 three States (after having agreed upon p. 1) to select but one Eepresent- 

 ative. 



3. The United States having given impulse to the matter to gain the 

 prestige, that an United St. man shall be elected to this honour. 



4. A Congress to be called together, invitations to be sent to those 

 of the European and American ])owers, whos subjects indulge in pelagic 

 sealing in th^ North Pacific and the Bering Sea. 



5. In the Congress the Eepresentativeof the three powers (sub. p. 1) 

 to have six voices, resulting in two voices for every of these powers, 

 which concession to be granted upon the facts of p. 1. 



G. The Congress to deal with the sto])page of pelagic sealing of the 

 fur-seal, and possibly to come to an understanding upon it and to en- 

 force it. 



B. Concerning certain laws and precautious in the dominions of the 

 United States. 



7. To prohibit taking seals at sea by home-vessels and by small boats 

 along the coast during the wanderings of the animals. I think that a 

 great many of fur-seals are killed on their way to the South and their 

 return to their breeding places in the north before ever they do reach 

 the neighbourhood of the latter. The fact that these wandering animals 

 are chiefly pregnant females, which as game, are protected by laws 

 among all civilized nations, may grant them safety also along the coasts 

 of Br. Columbia. 



8. To see that the existing laws at i)resent in use on both St. Paul 

 and St. Georg islands regarding the i)rotectiou of male pups are 

 strictly observed. 



9. To investigate the nutritious necessities of the fur seal. I believe 

 that the animals feed, besides on fiscli and crustaceans, also on difterent 

 forms of moUusca, especially on mussels, and also on certain seaweeds. 



10. In ascertaining (p. 9) to try to iiu;iease the (piantity of food in 

 the sea of the Pribilof Islands, especially for that reason, that females, 

 when nursing, may be not com[)i'lled to stray as far as 100 to 150 miles 

 from shore, deserting their pu])s for so long aiul being also exposed to 

 the wetipons of the ])elagic sealers. 



11. In ascertaining (p. 0) to pay a sjiecial attention to mussels belong- 

 ing to the families of tlie il/.yf t/u/ct' and Avlculidai (to the genera of My- 

 tilus, Modiola, Jjithodo^miSj Finna et others), who have thin sheUs, or 



