FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 99 



thickest and finest in texture during the tliird and fourth year of life. 

 Hence, in driving the seals on St. Paul and St. George up from the haul- 

 ing grounds, the natives made, as far as practicable, a selection from 

 males of that age in 1872-74: they tried hard in 1890 to do so, but 

 could not. 



COMPARATIVE SIZE OF FEMALES AND MALES. 



The female does not get her full growth and weight until the end of 

 ber fourth year, so far as I have observed: but she does most of her 

 growing longitudinally, in the tirst two. After she has passed her fourth 

 and fifth years, she weighs from 30 to 50 pounds more than she did iu 

 the days of her youthful maternity (80 lbs.). 



The male does not get his full growth and weight until the close of 

 his seventh year, but realizes most of it, osteologically speaking, by the 

 end of the fifth ; and from this it may be, i>erhaps, truly inferred that the 

 male seals live to an average age of 18 or 20 years, if undisturbed, iu a 

 normal condition: and, that the females attain 10 or 12 seasons under the 

 same favorable circumstances. Their respective weights, when fully 

 mature and fat in the spring, will, in regard to the male, strike an 

 average of from 400 to 500 pounds, while the females will show a mean 

 of from 70 to 80 pounds. 



GRADATION OF THE FUR OF CALLORHINUS URSINUS. 



The gradation of the fur of GaUorhimis ursimis m-Ay, perhaps, be best 

 presented in the following manner: 



One-year-old male, well (jroion at July 1 of every season: Fur fully 

 developed as to uniform length and thickness and evenness of dis- 

 tribution. It is lighter in color and softer in texture than herealter 

 during the life of the animal. Average weight of skin as removed by 

 the sealers from the carcass 4.^ pounds. 



Tivo-year-old male, well groam at June 1 of every season: Fur fully 

 developed as to even length and thickness and uniformity of distribu- 

 tion. It has now attained the darker buff and fawn color, sometimes 

 almost brown, which it retains throughout the life of the animal. It is 

 slightly and i)erceptibly firmer and stiffer than it was last year, not 

 being at all '' fluffy" as in the yearling dress, now. Average weight of 

 skin as taken from the body 5^ pounds. 



Three year -old male, icell grown at June 1 of every season: Fur fully 

 developed as to even length, but a shade longer over the shoulders, 

 where the incipient "wig" is forming; otherwise perfectly uni for ui iu 

 thickness and even distribution. This is 'the very best grade of ])elt 

 which the seal affords duriug its life. Average weight of skin as taken 

 from the body 7 pounds. 



Four-yearold male, well grown at June 1 of every season: Fur fully 

 developed as to even length, except a decided advance in length and 

 perceptible stiffness over the shoulders, in the "wig;" otherwise per- 

 fectly uniform in thickness and even distribution. This grade is almost 

 as safe to take, and as good as is the 3-year-old. Average weight of 

 skin as removed 12 pounds. 



Five-year-old male, well grown at May to June 1 of every season: Fur 

 fully developed, but much longer and decidedly coarser in the " wig" 

 region; otherwise uniform in thickness and distribution. The coarse- 

 ness of the fur over the shoulders and disproportionate length thereon 

 destroys that uniformity necessary for rating Al in the market; in fact, 

 it does not pay to take this skin. Average weight 10 pounds. 



Six-year-old male, well grown from May to June 1 of every season: 

 Fur fully developed, still longer and stiffer in the " wig " region, with a 



