THE PUB SEAL INDUSTRY OP ALASKA. 353 



Out of these 225,000 young males, we are required to save only one-fifteenth of their number 

 to pass over to the breeding-grounds, and meet there the 225,000 young females ; in other words, 

 the polygamous habit of this animal is such that, by its own volition, I do not think that more 

 than one male annually out of fifteen born is needed on the breeding-ground in the future ; but 

 in my calculations, to be within the margin and to make sure that I save two-year-old males 

 enough every season, I will more than double this proportion, and set aside every fifth one of the 

 young males in question ; that will leave 180,000 seals in good condition, that can be safely killed 

 every year without the slightest injury to the perpetuation of the stock itself forever in all its 

 original integrity.* 



In the above showing I have put the very extreme estimate upon the loss sustained at .sea by 

 the pup-seals too large, I am morally certain ; but in attempting to draw this line safely, I wish 

 to place the matter in the very worst light in which it can be put, and to give the seals the full 

 benefit of every doubt. Surely, I have clearly presented the case, and certainly no one will question 

 the premises after they have studied the habit and disposition of the rookeries ; hence, it is a 

 positive and tenable statement, that no danger of the slightest appreciable degree of injury to the 

 interests of the Government on the seal islands of Alaska exists as long as the present law pro- 

 tecting it, and the management executing it, continues. 



COURSE PURSUED BY THE SEALS AFTEE LEAVING THE ISLANDS. These fur-seals of the 

 Pribylov group, after leaving the islands in the autumn and early winter, do not visit land again 

 until the time of their return, in the following spring and early summer, to these same rookery and 

 hauling grounds, unless they touch, as they are navigating their lengthened journey back, at the 

 Russian Copper, and Bering Islands, 700 miles to the westward of the Pribylov group. They leave 

 the islands by independent squads, each one looking out for itself; apparently all turn by common 

 consent to the south, disappearing toward the horizon, and are soon lost in the vast expanse below, 

 where they spread themselves over the entire North Pacific as far south as the forty-eighth and 

 even the forty-seventh parallels of north latitude. Over the immense area between Japan and 

 Oregon, doubtless, many extensive submarine fishing shoals and banks are known to them ; at 

 least, it is definitely understood that Bering Sea does not contain them long when they depart 

 from the breeding-rookeries and the hauling-grounds therein. While it is carried in mind that 

 they sleep and rest in the water with soundness and with the greatest comfort on its surface, and 

 that even when around the land, during the summer, they frequently put off from the beaches to 

 take a bath and a quiet snooze just beyond the surf, we can readily agree that it is no inconven- 

 ience whatever, when the reproductive functions have been discharged, and their coats renewed, 

 for them to stay the balance of the time in their most congenial element the briny deep. 



NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE FUR-SEALS. That these animals are preyed upon extensively 

 by killer-whales (Orca gladiator), in especial, and by sharks, and probably other submarine foes 

 now unknown, is at once evident ; for, were they not held in check by some such cause, they 



* When regarding the subject in 1872-'73, of how many surplus young males could be wisely taken from the Priby- 

 lov stock, I satisfied myself that more than 100,000 could be drawn upon annually for their skins, and hence was 

 impressed with the idea that the business might be safely developed to a greater maximum ; since then, however, I 

 have been giving attention to the other side of the question, which involves the market for the skins and the practical 

 working of any sliding scale of increased killing, such as I then recommended. A careful review of the whole matter 

 modifies my original idea and causes me to think that, all things considered, it is better to "let well enough alone." 

 Although it would be a most interesting commercial experiment to develop the yield of the Pribylov Islands to their 

 full capacity, yet, in view of the anomalous and curious features of the case, it is wiser to be satisfied with the assured 

 guarantee of perpetuation in all original integrity, which the experience of the last ten years gives us on the present 

 basis of 100,000, than to risk it by possibly doubling the revenue therefrom. Therefore, I am not now in favor of my 

 earlier proposition of gradually increasing the killing, until the maximum number of surplus " holluschickie " should 

 be ascertained. 



SEC. v, VOL. ii 23 



