SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 33 



SEALS. 



The sealing season began on the 13th of June, after my arrival at the 

 islands. Very few bachelor seals hauled out until about the 20th of 

 June. The breeding bulls arrived early in May. The remainder of the 

 herd was full three weeks later in arriving than in former years. This 

 is accounted for by the fact that the Hoe ice remained about the islands, 

 extending for miles out at sea, until after the middle of June. Soon 

 after its disappearance the bachelor seals hauled out in goodly numbers. 

 The cow herd came later and apparently all at once. The harems were 

 rapidly formed and the pups were born very soon after the arrival of 

 the cows. 



From August 10, 1894, to June 8, 1895, inclusive, 1,269 seals were 

 taken on JSt. Paul Island for native food, and from October 20, 1894, to 

 June 3, 1895, inclusive, 196 seals were taken on St. George Island for 

 a like purpose. During the past season, closing August 1, 11,231 seals 

 were taken on St. Paul by the lessees and 2,315 on St. George, making 

 a total of 15,011 fur-seal skins in the salt houses. 



The skins taken from seals killed for native food in the fall were taken 

 under the quota allotted for 1894, and remained in the salt houses 

 throughout the winter. Blue foxes broke into the salt house at St. 

 George in search of food, and damaged 11 of these skins, rendering 

 them unfit for market. These damaged skins were shipped to the col- 

 lector of customs at San Francisco, Gal., as per instructions. 



Statements showing the number of seals taken, date of killing, and 

 rookery from which the same were taken, are marked Exhibit B. 



Summary of skins taken. fll 



On St. Paul Island: 



For native food 1, 269 



By lessees 11, 231 



On St. George Island : 



For native food 196 



By lessees 2, 315 



Total 15, Oil 



Skins accepted by lessees 15, 000 



The 15,000 fur-seal skins were shipped from the islands on the 

 steamer liertha, consigned to the North American Gommercial Com- 

 pany, at San Francisco. Eeceipts for the same are marked Exhibit C. 



Distribution of community fund. 



St. Paul Island : 



To 12,000 seal skins, at 50 cents $6, 250. 00 



T<> 140 seal skins, rejected in 1894, subsequently accepted, but not in- 

 cluded in Division No. 5 70. 00 



6, 320. 00 



By 22 lirst-class men, at $164.38 3, 616. 36 



B.v 1 ~) second-class men, at $131.52 i 972. 80 



By 4 third-class men, at $105.21 420. 84 



By 7 fourth-class men, at $30 210. 00 



By first chief, $50 ; and second chief, $50 100. 00 



6, 320. 00 

 S. Doc. 137, pt. 1 3 



