72 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



leacli the unnatural ratio of 50 to even 100 females to an old and 

 enfeebled male. 



(3) There is no appreciable number of young males left alive to-day 

 on these hauling or nonbreediiig grounds, to take their places on the 

 breeding grounds, which are old enough for that purpose: or will be old 

 enough, if not disturbed by man, even if left alone for the next five 

 years. 



(4) Meanwhile the natural enemies of the fur seal are just as numer- 

 ous in the sea and ocean as they ever were. The killer whale and the 

 sharks are feeding upon them, just as they did in 1872-1874. 



(5) Therefore, we have destroyed by land aud by sea, that equilibrium 

 which nature had established in 1808, on these rookeries, and we must 

 now restore it: or, no other result can follow save that of swift extermi- 

 nation. 



(6) That condition of 1872 being restored : then, that surplus male life 

 must he taken again under better regulations than those of 1870: ^ and the 

 pelagie sealing must he restricted to proper limits: this action will enable 

 the fur markets of the world to have a regular supply for all time to 

 come, provided that it is carried out iu good time. 



' See terms of such regulations, p. 228, Appendix. 



