372 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRnULOF ISLANDS. 



A DEAD PUP. 



A freshly dead pup lay near the aiiyle of the cliff; also a dead cow. The latter 

 was foinid to be too rotten to handle. The pup had not been long dead. It was 

 brought home for dissection, to determine cause of death. Dr. Voss reported on 

 examination that there was a slight contusion of the liver, and the lungs weie 

 completely collapsed. The other organs of the i)np were uninjured. A big bull had 

 evidently squatted on the pup and crushed the breath out of it. 



Under a corner of the cliff is a cavern extending in some 10 or 12 feet. This 

 place is literally packed with pups trying to get away from the storm. It seems as 

 if they must smother, so closely are they ](acked. The little fellows snarl and spit 

 at the intruder like tomcats. 



In trying to get the dead pup away, a live pup was encountered, which sat on a 

 stone near by and refused to budge, growling, snapi)ing, and in all respects acting on 

 a smaller scale as the master of a harem might have acted. The pups evidently 

 inherit the dispositions of their fathers. 



The blind pup brought the other night from Lukauin, and kept in the box with 

 the stray pup from /apadni died to-day. He was nearly starved when found. The 

 Zapadni pup is still vigorous. 



LAGOON. 



It is evident that the seals prefer to sit up during the rain rather than to lie on 

 the wet rocks. The showing of heads on the ridge of the Lagoon, as seen from the 

 window of the company's house, is like the teeth of a saw. On ordinary days only 

 the heads of a few old bulls can be made out at this distance, but today there are 

 hundreds of upraised heads. The seals do not seem to take to the sea in very great 

 numbers on rainy days. 



MR. LUCAS'S NOTES. 



I visited north rookery of St. George. A strong southwest wind, with rain, is 

 blowing. The bachelors were on land much as usual, but more wakeful and restless; 

 the harems were about as full as usual. Many pups have worked down from the 

 hillside to seek the shelter of the bowlders. 



The rain washes the rookery slopes in places and brings to light the bones of long- 

 dead pups. Two fresh i)lacenta' are seen, indicating that i)nps are still being born. 



A stone on which a holostiak was seen lying was measured, the size being about 

 that of the adult female. One animal sleeps comfortably on a stone 18 by 28 inches. 

 Two have plenty of room on a stone 28 by 39 inches. 



One r)-year old bull wanders over the hill voiding excrement, which shows he must 

 have fed (juite recently. 



AUGUST 4. 



Dr. Jordan and Ur. Clark walked to Tolstoi, then to Zapadni Keef, crossing the 

 island to Lukanin Beach, and returning by way of that rookery. 



The weather has cleared somewhat, but the southeast gale continues and a 

 tremendous surf is breaking everywhere. 



