48 SEAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



found for a century in greater numbers than on any other spot on the 

 earth. 



St. George Island has an area of about "21 square miles, and its sides 

 rise out of the water so abruptly and so steep that there are only a few 

 places around the whole coast upon which anything coming out of the 

 sea can find a footing, and consequently the number of seals landing 

 must of necessity be limited, which accounts, I think, for the great dif- 

 ference in the numbers to be found on the two islands. 



CLIMATE. 



The islands are situated in the path of the Japan current, which, on 

 meeting the icy waters of the north at this point, brings forth the dense 

 summer fogs for which Bering Sea is so justly famous, and in which the 

 islands are enveloped from May to September. Owing to difference of 

 altitude, St. George Island being much higher than St. Paul, there is a 

 very marked difference in the amount of rainfall on each fully five 

 times the volume falling on St. George, although the islands are only 

 40 miles apart. 



The average temperature for the year is about 35, ranging from 35 

 to 60 in the summer, and from zero to 15 below in winter. 



Both of the islands are of volcanic origin, and there is not a sign of 

 tree, shrub, or vine on either of them. They are covered in season with 

 moss, grass, and wild flowers, but it is impossible to raise anything by 

 cultivation, for, no matter how rich the soil may be, there is not enough 

 sunshine to ripen the crop. Thick fog, leaden sky, drizzly rain, mist, 

 and moisture are the general conditions ruling there, and during a con- 

 tinuous residence of thirty months fifteen on each island I saw only 

 six wholly clear, sunshiny days. 



The surface of the highlands on St. George is covered with loose and 

 broken rock rock broken into all shapes and sizes, from that of a pebble 

 to boulders weighing many tons, and thrown together into every imag- 

 inable position except a level one. 



On St. Paul the winds of centuries have heaped the sands of the sea- 

 shore into dunes of considerable height and magnitude, and filled up 

 many cavities and rough spots, but, excepting a slight covering of most 

 nutritious reindeer moss, the greater part of the surface of St. George 

 remains to-day as it came from the hands of the Creator. 



And yet nature finds a use for those rugged and unshapely rocks, for 

 under and between them, where the prowling, crafty fox can not pene- 

 trate, millions of sea birds build their nests, and lay their eggs, and 

 rear their young. I use the word millions advisedly, and I believe I 

 might say billions, and yet be within the bounds of truth. 



One of the most beautiful sights to be seen in this otherwise desolate 

 region is the return of the birds from the sea to their nests during the 

 hatching season, when toward evening they fill the air and darken the 

 sun for hours in their flight with their countless numbers. 



Here, too, on St. George Island the famous blue fox finds a perma- 

 nent home, and grows to perfection, for here he has abundance of 

 choice and dainty food, and no one to molest him out of season. 



SEALS. 



To these islands, notwithstanding their cheerless aspect, their dreary 

 barren shores, their damp and foggy climate, come the fur seals every 

 year with the unerring regularity of the seasons; here they haul out of 

 the water and make their home on land for six months at least, during 



