64 HABITS OF THE FUR-SEALS. 



inconsistencies gestation is stated by the Commissioners to be 



of the report. 



about twelve months (Sec. 434), coition in the 

 water would necessarily be four or even six 

 weeks (Sec. 306) later than the arrival of cows at 

 the Islands, which would necessitate the arrival 

 of the cows by as many weeks later the follow- 

 ing year, since they give birth to their young 

 immediately upon landing (Sec. 30). 

 Late arrival of If the frequency of pelagic coition be as great 

 islands. as alleged in the Report, the date of the arrival of 



the cows would be growing continually later and 

 would be now much later than in former years. 

 No proof is offered in the Report on this important 

 point. In opposition thereto the United States 

 Commissioners have appended to their report a 

 table showing the arrival of the various classes 

 of seals on the Islands, 1 and the United States 

 herewith submit on the same question the further 

 evidence of Maj. W. H. Williams, Special Treas- 

 ury Agent in charge of the Pribilof Islands, who 

 states that 95 per cent of the cows had given birth 

 to their young by July 12, 1891, showing the 

 arrivals must have been at the usual time, 2 and of 

 Mr. Stanley-Brown, who arrived on the Islands 

 on the 9th of June, 1892, and who states that 

 some cows had arrived previous to that date. 3 



1 Case of the United States, p. 386. 

 * Post p. 397. 

 'Posip. 386. 



