etc., is not so readily explained except upon the theory of the sur- 

 rounding current having the same direction. 



As evidence of the existence of a current northward through Bering 

 Strait, we have first the remarkable drift of the Jeannette, This vessel 

 entered the ice near where the observations of the Rodgors are said to 

 have upset all existing thoories in relation to Arctic currents, yet not- 

 withstanding the enormous friction of the ice, at points of contact, to 

 be over6ome, and in the face of adverse winds, which many times set her 

 back to the south and eastward during the tY;enty months she was helplessly 

 embayed in the ice, as a resultant of all currents she made a drift of 

 500 miles in a northwesterly direction. 



The discovery near Herald Island of part of a vessel burned south 

 of Boririg Strait must also be regarded as evidence pointing in the same 

 diroction, Vifo have also the testimony of the v/halers, the only men who 

 navigate those seas regularly, not one of whom, so far as I can learn, 

 doubts the oxistence of this current. Then comos the testimony of the 

 natives living on tho shores of Bering Strait to the same effect. But 

 in Gil this evidence there is nothing inconsistent with a regular tidal 

 current in Bering Strait, 



sic stc ^t^ d^ lAc «k 



MAI^ffi-lALS . 



An excellent opportunity was made possible by the Bering iea'^Oruises 

 to observe the peculiarities of the sea lion, the walrus and the seal. 

 The sea lions were encountered in the Aleutian Islands, the Pribilof ■• 

 Islands and Bogoslof Island, the seals were seen on the Pribilof Islands 

 and on Bogoslof Island; while the walrus were seen off St. Lawrence Island, 

 St. Lawrence Bay, in Bering Strait and in tho Arctic Ocean, These mamraals, 

 also called pinnopods, arc built primarily for life in the water. Their ^A 

 activities ashore are very limited. Their bodies are more or less- fish- 

 like in form and th^ir limbs are to a great degree finfooted, 



THE SEAL . 



The fur seals of the Bering Sea form two independent herds which 

 have distinct places of habitation and separate ways of migration. The 

 seal of the American herd is concentrated on the Pribilofs and is called 

 callorhinus alascanus while the callorhinus ursinus (Russian) visit the 

 Komandorski Islands and the callorhinus civilensis, tho Japanese, visit 

 the Kurile Islands. The differences in tho color of tho skins, in the 

 forms of the bodies and in-. the construction of the skulls make it possible 

 to differentiate between the various classes. For exaiuple, the American 

 seals have stouter broader heads, thicker necks, superior fur and different 

 claws. The greater portion of tho world's supply of fur ssal c cans.^ • f i*om the 

 Pribilof Islands, 



Seals are amphibious mamraals. On land their forefeet arc used for 

 climbing, while the hind flippers are dragged. At sea the forefeet are 



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