SEAL LIFE OX THE PK1P.ILOF ISLANDS. 353 



(2) lie repudiates the notion that the seals have in any respect 

 chunked their habits, either in dates of arrival at the islands or other- 

 wise '(pp. SO. 104, lOfi, 10S, 240. 242, 2!>1). 



(3) His observations are to the effect that in the years 1872 to 1876 

 the herd was in a condition of abounding prosperity. The British 

 (iovci nineiit cites Bryant to prove that during this period a decrease 

 in certain classes of the seals had been observed (pp. 69, 77, 78, 79, 124, 

 151). 



(4) The British assertion that the effect of raids upon the island has 

 been considerable is contradicted by him (pp. 57, 58). 



(5) He states, contrary to the contention of Great Britain, that there 

 has been a gradual improvement in the methods of driving and that 

 the actual driving- to day is carried on with the greatest of care (pp. 

 269, 283). 



(6) He states that the condition of the natives has improved since 

 the Americans took possession of the islands, and that they are to-day 

 in every respect well off (pp. 163, 185). 



(7) lie states that no reduction took place in the standard weight of 

 skins until 18S7 (p. 143). 



(8) He states that the seals have great powers of locomotion on land 

 (pp. 5:;, 244, 258). 



Elsewhere .Mr. Elliott says (Fur-seal Fisheries of Alaska, p. 136): 



Its forefeet or flippers are exceedingly bro;ul and powerful, and when it comes out 

 of the water it moves forward, stepping with considerable rapidity and much grace. 



(9) That the latest date for properly observing the rookeries is July 

 20 or thereabouts, for after that date disintegration sets in (pp. iii, 16, 

 21, 83, 236, 249). 



It follows that the rookery observations of the British commissioners, 

 who did not reach the islands in 1891 until July 27, are worthless. It 

 follows, also, that Mr. Macoiin (whose observations in 1891 were even 

 less extensive than those of the British commissioners) is not in a posi- 

 tion to institute any comparison between the appearance of the rookeries 

 in 1891 and 1892, respectively. 



(10) Mr. Elliott gives no countenance to the idea that there exist 

 independent pelagic schools of young seals which do not visit the 

 islands. His report is replete with instances where he has observed 

 large numbers of yearlings and 2-year olds of both sexes on the islands. 



Page 105 : By the 14th to the 20th of June, they 

 in their finest form and number for the season, being joined now by the great bu 

 of the 2-yeav olds, and quite a number of yearlings. By the 10th of July their-iium- 

 bers are beginning to largely increase, owing to the influx at this time of that great 

 body of the lust year's pups or yearlings. By the 20th of July the yearlings have put 

 in their appearance !'<>r the season in full force. Very few yearlings make their 

 appearance until the 15th of July, but by the 20th they literally swarmed out, in 

 1872-1*7 1, and mixed up completely with the young and older males and females a<s 

 the rookeries relax their diseipline and " pod " or scatter out. 



Page lM:>: I took notice of a large proportion of small or 2-year-old females, and 

 the unusual slowness of hauling, compared with 1872, which was now at its greatest 

 activity July 7. (Tolstoi. July 1. IS}0.) 



Page _'.">:;: The holluschickie are chiefly 1-year olds; nine-tenths of the several 

 pods hauled out here today are yearlings. A great many yearling females are 

 hauling down at landings in and among the scattered harems, aimlessly paddling 

 about; their slight forms and bright backs, white throats and abdomens, are shining 

 out very brightly. (North Rookery, July 30, 1870.)" 



Page 298: I observed a very large proportion of yearling cows scattered all over 

 the breeding ground from end to end near the sea margin, whil<j the yearlings of 

 both sexes are completely mixed upon the outskirts of the rookery, here and every- 

 where else commingled with the adult cows and their young pups. (St. George, 

 July 30, 1890.) 



S. Doc. 137, pt. 1 - 23 



