THE BRANDED PUPS. 477 



It is surprising how few starving pups are visible. It seems impossible that we 

 should flud anything like 25,000 or 30,000 of them. We are not likely to get many 

 more starved pups than trampled ones. However, it may be that, as in the case of the 

 trampled pups, a close inspection will show very different results. 



SEPTEMBER 16. 



The gale from the southeast, with thick fog, is still on. A visit is made to the 

 point of Black Bluff to watch the pups. Four of the branded pups are in sight here 

 and are doing well; at least they show no inflammation in the scars. 



On the rocky reef in Kitovi Bay is one of the triple-brand pups. His back is 

 quite sore. 



Under the brow of Lukanin Hill are 8 pups of the branding of the afternoon of 

 the first day that are in very bad shape. The marks of the brand throughout their 

 length and breadth are raw and inflamed. In only one, however, is there trace of pus. 

 This pup looks as though it might not survive. Along the edge of the brand the skin 

 has turned up and there is a line of pus. The other pups look uncomfortable, but are 

 active and seem in no danger of dying as a result of the branding. 



This much is certain : If they survive this branding no one can deny that they will 

 stand without murmur such a moderate brand as will answer the purpose, a brand like 

 the one on the second day across the shoulders, or even three brands as deftly put on. 



For some reason almost all the badly burned pups are just under Lukanin Hill, 

 where the branding was done on the afternoon of the first day. Colonel Murray says 

 that the fur of those pups seemed sticky and hard to burn. 



SEPTEMBER 18. 



The weather has moderated some to-day, but surf and wibd are still high. On 

 account of the gale yesterday I did not go out, but spent the time making extracts 

 from the log. 



Just before lunch I went out to Lukanin to take a look at the branded pups. The 

 pups still continue to congregate under the cliffs at the point of Black Bluff. 



On the little reef that points out into Kitovi Bay are hundreds of pups and 

 yearlings. One of the single-brand pups here shpws his scar inflamed. This is the 

 first seen. It is evident that it takes jit least a week to make the burn show. Then 

 the skin peels off under the action of the water. It is, however, much less 

 uncomfortable than if its back had the flaying which triple-brand pups received. 



Among these pups is a cow nursing her pup. A number of other animals look 

 like cows. Some of these little fools probably persist in staying away from home and 

 their mothers must needs come to them. 



Under the brow of Lukanin hill are 4 of the badly burned pups. They look in 

 about the same condition. One little fellow, probably the worst one of the lot, is 

 nursing his mother contentedly and looks quite comfortable. She does not seem to 

 mind his back. The difiiculty with these pups is that the water washes out the scab 

 and then the new skin growing underneath cracks as it dries. The little fellow^ stand 

 with backs bowed up as if it pained them, as it probably does, to move. 



