Fur-bearing Animals of the Pacific Slope. 187 



outlying bands of a hundred or so on the outskirts of the 

 bachelor ground in the early morning, when the dense mist of that 

 moist region hides the men's approach. With as little noise as 

 possible the band is driven off in the direction of the slaughtering 

 ground, which is from half a mile to two miles away. All but the 

 males fit to kill are allowed to drop out in the course of the drive. 

 The fur seal's progress on land is, with the exception of the start 

 when in his fright he launches himself forward in a series of bounds 



KILLING FUR SEAL ON THE PRYBILOFF ISLANDS. 



an excessively slow one. As overheating of the blood spoils the 

 'pelt, the seals are allowed to drag themselves along at a very slow 

 pace, averaging less than half a mile per hour, the rattling of 

 castanet-like bones by the natives being sufficient to make them 

 resume their march towards the slaughtering place after the 

 frequent halts in which they are allowed to indulge. During these 

 rests, these curious animals will squat down and fan themselves 

 with their glove-shaped hind flippers, while their heaving flanks 

 indicate what exertion the drive imposes upon their unwieldy 



