DOCTORS EMIL HOLUB AND CARLOS BERG. 433 



to other species of the North Pacific, which vroukl promise a good pro- 

 lification ; farther, also, to certain seaweeds, for submarine plantation, the 

 species to which I allnde containing- a great deal of eatable gelatinous 

 matter. 



12. These measures, besides to be taken from a:'cono7nical reasons on 

 behalf of home connnerce and home trade, to be recommended also from a 

 scientific point of view, as an act of preservation of a sea-mammal and 

 from the common laws of humanity, that species of large and wild liv- 

 ing mammal may be guarded against utter anihilation. 



Mankind never to forget that, being the master among the living 

 creatures on earth, it has the power of re-creation. 



If the pelagic sealing of the fur-seal is carried on still longer, like 

 it has been executed during the last years, the pelagic sealing as a 

 business matter and a "living" will soon cease by the full extermina- 

 tion of the useful, animal. 



The objections brought forward by the friends of the pelagic sealing 

 against its stoppage, that the latter will ruin a great many families of 

 seamen and fishers can not be taken as sound arguments. It is a well 

 known and a common thing in our age, but a weekly occurrence during 

 the last years, that a new trade springing up ruins two other trades, 

 and hardly in one case out of hundreds can a compensation be given or 

 is asked for. 



In concluding my note, I thank you, my dear sir, as my esteemed fel- 

 low-worker in another transatla,ntic sphere, for the excellent work which 

 you have executed during your weary investigati(msin the Bering Sea. 

 May this noble and important work be crowned with the deserved suc- 

 cess, that that piratic hunt may be stopped forever. The opportunity 

 of the Col. Exhibition in Cliicago might be used to call the Congress to 

 Washington and then to give to the delegates the treat of a visit to 

 the monstrous Exhibition. 



I should feel very happy if one day to come I can make your personal 

 acquaintance and can shake hands with you, my dear sir, 



With my humble respects, I remain, your most obedient, 



Dr. Emil Holub. 



REPLY OF DR. CARLOS BERCI, OP BUENOS AIRES. 



MusEO Kacional de Buenos Aires, 



Buenos Aires, 4 June, 1892. 

 Sir : In answer to your circular dated April 2, a. c, and directed to 

 Dr. Hermann Burmeister, I regret to let you know that same died 

 shortly before the transmission of your circular by D. ]S^. Bertolette, 

 esqr. 



Having been named director of the National Museum in place of 

 the deceased, I have read with great interest your report and conclu- 

 sions about the causes of the decrease and the measures necessary for 

 the restoration and permanent preservation of tlie seal herd on the 

 Pribilof Islands in Bering Sea, and according to your wish I have the 

 pleasure to let you know that from the standpoint of a naturalist I 

 perfectly agree with you in considering your conclusions and recom- 

 mendations justified and necessitated by the facts stated by you as a 

 result of your special investigation on the above named islands. 

 Very truly yours, 



Carlos Berg. 

 Mr. C. Hart Merriam. 

 55 



