108 ALASKA. 



in number, the directions were observed for greater caution in 

 killing the grown seals and young females which came in with 

 the droves of killing-seals, and to endeavor to separate, if pos- 

 sible, these from those which should be shiin. 



But. all this hardly served to do more than keep the seals at 

 one figure or number, and hence did not cause an increase. 

 Finally, in 1834, the governor of the company, upon the clear 

 (or "handsome") argument of Baron Wrangel, which was 

 l)laced before him, resolved to make new regulations respecting 

 them, to take eflect in the same year, (1834,) and, following this, 

 on the island of Saint Paul only 4,000 were killed instead of 

 ] 2,000. 



On the island of Saint George the seals were allowed to rest 

 m 1826 and 1827, and since that time greater caution and care 

 have been observed, and head-men or foremen have kept a care- 

 ful count of the killing. 



From this it will be seen that no anxiety or care as to the pres- 

 ervation of the seal-life began until 1805, (i. c, with the united 

 comj^anies.) 



It is further evident that all half-measures, seen or not seen, 

 were useful no longer, as they only served to preserve a small 

 portion of the seal-life, and only the last step (1834) with the 

 present people or inhabitants has proved of benefit. And if 

 such regulations of the company continue for fifteen years, (/. e., 

 until 1849,) it may be truly said that then t<ie seal-life will be 

 attracted quite rapidly under the careful direction of head-men, 

 so that in quite a short time a handsome yield may be taken 

 every year. In connection with this subject, if the company 

 are moderate and these regulations are carried out, the seal- 

 life will serve them and be depended upon as shown in this 

 volume. Table No. 2. 



Xearlv all the old men think and assert that the seals which 

 are spared every year, (" zapooskat kotov,") i. e., those which 

 have not been killed for several years, are truly of little use for 

 breeding, lying about as if they were outcasts or disfranchised 

 always. About these seals, they show thp^t after the seals were 

 s])ared, they were always less than they should be, as, for 

 instance, on the island of Saint George, after two years of sav- 

 ing or sparing of 5,500 seals, in the first year they got, instead 

 of 10,000 or 8,000, as expected, only 4,778. 



But this diminution, whi(;h is shown in the most convincing 

 manner, (I,) is due to wrong and injustice, because it would not 



