CONDITION IN 1869. 383 



Ing, from three hundred and fifty pounds to four hundred ; in 

 exceptional cases a weight of four hundred and fifty pounds is 

 attained. The males acquire the power of procreation in the 

 fourth year, and at five years share largely in the duty of repro- 

 duction. 



" The females bring forth young in their fourth year, and then 

 weigh from fifty -five to sixty-five pounds. They continue to 

 increase in size until the sixth year, often attain a weight of 

 ninety pounds, and, in exceptional cases, even one hundred and 

 eight, the general average being eighty pounds. It will be 

 thus seen that the greater strength and weight of the males 

 enable them to control the females, which they do absolutely 

 when on the breeding-places. The young Seals at birth weigh 

 six pounds, and the young males, when they leave the island 

 at the age of four and a half months, weigh thirty-eight pounds, 

 but a large portion of this weight consists of excessive fat, so 

 that when they return to the island the following year, although 

 they have grown longer, they have lost their superabundant 

 fat, and weigh only forty- two pounds. At the age of two years 

 their average weight is sixty-one pounds ; at three one hundred 

 and seven. After this they increase in weight much more 

 rapidly, attaining their full size at six. Subsequently, their in- 

 crease in weight ie due to excessive fatness, rather than to con- 

 tinued growth. 



" In spring a careful watch is kept for the arrival of the first 

 Seals, which come with great uniformity, the record showing 

 only four days' variation in the last seven years in the time of 

 their being first seen in the water near the island. The time of 

 landing, however, varies with the condition of the shores, some 

 seasons the beaches being obstructed by snow and ice. As a 

 rule, a few effect a landing within five or six days after their 

 first appearance. The males invariably come first and entirely 

 by themselves. The first arrivals are of old Seals, which coast 

 along the shore for two or three days, and are at first exceed- 

 ingly sensitive to disturbing influences, but soon after landing 

 become torpid and indifferent to objects approaching to within 

 eight or ten rods. They continue in this state until they be- 

 come so numerous as to begin to crowd on each others' premises. 

 After the first fortnight they arrive quite rapidly. The groups 

 are then composed of Seals of all ages, from two years upward, 

 with a few yearlings, but those of full size predominate. Most 

 of the yearlings arrive with the females in July. 



