FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



175 



there about 9 o'clock. The drivers had collected a squad of about 340 

 holluschickie, which were clubbed thus — 



or about 72 per cent unfit to taJce, being made up chiefly of yearlings, 

 "sliort" 2 year-olds, aud "wigged" 4-year-olds, and o year up to 7-year- 

 old bulls. Of this latter class of half bulls, an enormous percentage in 

 this small drive appears. 



Now, this little driv-e was not taken from the regular hauling grounds 

 of these holluschickie, as I knew them in 1S12, but from the immediate 

 line of the rookery on Lower Zapadnie, at a section about midway 

 between the point and the sand beach. The weather can not be blamed 

 for the small killing to-day ; it is sim])ly superb sealing weather, and not 

 a word against it was uttered by thedisapi)oiitted sealers this morning. 



Nearly every one of these released or spared seals this morning 

 returned at once to the rear of the breeding bulls on Lower Zapadnie, 

 right under our eyfis. They refused to return to the sea, although the 

 path was open to them and the distance was less. They will all be 

 driven again in the next visit, plus the new arrivals which may come 

 along between now and then. Ah ! this driving and redriving; its full 

 significance is beginning to appeal to my understanding successfully. 



That pod of holluschickie, which I have seen under Middle Hill dur- 

 ing the last two days, still lies there, and also tliat one next to the 

 clustered cows on the sand at Tolstoi. They will drive it to-morrow. 

 Thus far no holluschickie have hauled out oO feet above surf wash, 

 except where they are found in back of the rookery margins,as the Eeef 

 crest, Zai)adnie, and Northeast Point, where the breeding bulls drive 

 them back some 150 to 250 feet. Jn English Bay, today, eighteen years 

 ago, the hoUuschicMe were hauled hi/ thousands upon thousands back 

 nearly half a mile everywhere upon the soil, sand, rocks, and grass of 

 the uplands; to day, not a sign of a seal there except t\m handful down 

 close by the surf under Middle Hill! 



Juue 27, m)0.—'l\\e drive to day from Middle Hill, Tolstoi, and Bobro- 

 via Yama (of TolvStoi near the point) panned out as follows. This is 

 the result of saving the drive ever since the 23d instant: 



