ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 341 



few experts are able to determine the sex from an examination of the skins after 

 they have been salted and mixed. 



It seems that all the rules as to the color of the hair, and the whiskers of the ani- 

 mals, as well as to the condition of the fur, have proven unreliable. The positive 

 assertion is ventured that the only time when the sex can be correctly determined is 

 during the operations of skinning the animals, when each pelt could be ticketed. 



The collector instances the opinion of the late Mr. Davis, representative in Victoria 

 of the firm of Ullman & Sons, fur dealers, of New York and St. Paul. This gentle- 

 man is referred to as possessing expert knowledge in the purchase of furs, particu- 

 larly seal skins. 



In 1891 Mr. Davis met the sealing fleet at its rendezvous oft Olitak Bay to transfer 

 the skins to the steamer Dannie previous to the departure of the sealing schooners 

 for the Asiatic waters. 



He is represented as having emphatically stated that it was virtually impossible 

 to distinguish the sexes of the animals from which the skins were taken by the teats 

 or otherwise, the only sure way being observations during the process of flaying, 

 although in exceptional cases of very choice skins, the sex might be determined. In 

 the case of barren females, however, the distinction was practically impossible. 



A further instance is cited of an examination in 1892 of about 200 skins at Victoria, 

 Mr. Macoun of Ottawa, Mr. Munsie of Victoria, and several others failing to deter- 

 mine the sexes of the animals from which these skins were taken, notwithstanding 

 they were selected and pronounced by Mr. Koutzouer, an expert for Messrs. Bos- 

 cowitz & Co., to be the product from male seals. The teats proved to be as promi- 

 nent as those to be found upon the skins of any female seal. 



It is admitted, however, that the pelt of a female seal killed while very heavy with 

 young may be determined from its peculiar shape. 



The collector expresses the opinion that expert examination of seal skins would 

 IK- almost impracticable, while its effectiveness would be uncertain in establishing 

 the sex of seals from which they were taken. Hence it would not be necessary or 

 useful, but he believes that if the sealers, in addition to keeping accurate log entries 

 as to their fishing operations, were compelled to label or tag each skin as to the sex 

 of the animal at the time of flaying the most reliable evidence obtainable would be 

 insured. 



The undersigned would further invite your excellency's attention to the statement 

 that 1,037 skins were landed in Victoria and sold from the State of Washington, 

 United States of America, during 1894 which were not examined as to sex by experts. 



Also to the letter from Mr. J. C. Nixon, of Seattle, stating that the skins landed at 

 the Puget Sound ports were not examined by experts. 



In the light of the evidence contained in the appendices to this report, the under- 

 signed is of opinion that such an examination of the salted seal skins when landed 

 at the home ports would prove of little utility in establishing the sexes of the seals 

 killed. 



The undersigned recommends that a copy of this report, if approved, together with 

 its appendices, be forwarded to the right honorable Her Majesty's principal secretary 

 of state for the colonies. 



Respectfully submitted. 



JOHN COSTIGAN. 



[Annex B to O. C. No. 883 J, April 26, 1895.] 



OTTAWA, March 8, 1895. 



SIR: I have the honor to inform you that a request of the United States Secretary 

 of State for certain information in respect of the Canadian sealing fleet and their 

 operations during the seasons of 1893 and 1894 has been communicated to the Gov- 

 ernment by his excellency Her Majesty's ambassador at Washington. 



(1) The total number of seals taken by British vessels in the North Pacific Ocean 

 and Bering Sea, both on the Asiatic and American sides. 



(2) The total number of skins landed at British ports by said vessels. 



(3) The total number transshipped in Japanese or Russian ports, including any 

 that may have been ultimately entered at Victoria. 



(4) The number of skins landed as entered at Victoria by American vessels. 



(5) A report as to the sex of all skins taken in Bering Sea and the North Pacific 

 Ocean. 



(6) Location of the place of catch by latitude and longitude. 



(7) The names of all vessels employed, tonnage, number of crew, and number of 

 seal hunters, indicating whether whites or Indians. 



(8) The further request is made that information may be given as to whether the 

 skins taken by the Canadian pelagic sealers were examined as to sex by expert 

 inspectors, as was done in the case of skins entered in United States ports. 



