Your attention is specially directeil to the following questions, wliicb should be 

 treated in your report : 



1. The effect of pelagic sealing in the North Pacitic Ocean and Bering Sea upon 

 the fur-seal herd, due account being taken of the classes of seals killed. 



2. What effect, if any, has the annual removal of bachelor seals, which has taken 

 place on the Pribilof Islands, had ui)on the fur-seal herd? 



The solution of these two questions involves a study of the entire subject of the 

 regulations of the two sexes and the projiortioii of the male seals required to be pi'e- 

 served in order to maintain the stal)ility of the herd. 



3. Whether killing on laud or sea has interfered with the regular habits and 

 occupation of the island^ by the herd, or has operated to reduce the strength of the 

 seal race as a whole by a natural selection. 



4. The propriety of existing methods of driving seals from the hauliug grounds to 

 the killing grounds, culling, and other practices connected therewith. 



5. The cause of the destruction of nursing pups upon the islands. 



During the seasons of 1894 and 1895 about 20,000 and 30,000 dead pups, respec- 

 tively, were found upon the islands. You should specially consider the causes of 

 their death, whether from starvation or other cause, preserving specimens when- 

 ever practicable. 



6. The extent, date, and cause of mortality on the islands of seals of all classes. 



7. The breeding habits of the seals, with special reference to the age at which the 

 females begin or cease to breed, and the frequency of the breeding, whether annually 

 or at longer intervals. 



8. The condition of female seals taken at sea, as to nursing and pregnancy. 



9. The distance which the several classes of seals go from the islands and the 

 directions which they take in search of food or rest at different times during the 

 season. 



10. The actual decrease, if any, in the number of seals in each class on the Pribilof 

 Islands which has occurred during the past year, and also since the year 1890, and 

 since the year 1870. A careful census of the rookeries should be taken this season 

 for comparison with the euumei'atiou made in 1895 and previous years. 



11. An examination of the question as to the character of the food of fur seals. 



12. Whether the Pribilof Island herd of fur seals intermingle with the Asiatic 

 herds of the Commander or Kurile islands. 



13. Whether nursing seals nurse other than their own pups on the islands. 

 These latter questions are merely suggestions to guide you in your examination and 



report. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, 



Charles S. Hamlin, 



Acting Secretary. 



The questions here indicated are answered briefly in the present report, which 

 deals mainly with the practical matters involved in the preservation of the fur seal, 

 I am, very respectfully, yours, 



David Stauu Jordan. 

 Palo Alto, Cal., Novemher 7, 1896. 



