592- THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



SEPTEMBER 7. 



MR. WAEREN'S NOTES. 



To-day about noon that part of the fence which crosses the neck of the lagoon 

 gave way. There was a stiif hi'eeze blowing and a strong tide running in. 

 Furthermore, the wire was filled with seaweed, so that the pressure was something 

 tremendous. The posts alone gave way, for the bottom of the wire was securely 

 anchored with rocks. 



The seals having been confined for one week, Colonel Murray decided that a 

 sufficient test of the efficiency of the fence had been made, and hence it was not 

 repaired, but was laid flat at this place so that the seals might pass over it. 



The result of the eutire experiment has shown conclusively that the seals can be 

 successfully confined within the iuclosure by strengthening the fence. To render the 

 fence amply strong there is needed 6 more r.ills of 58-inch fencing and 200 more 

 posts, 50 of which should be at least 8 feet in length; also about 1,000 staples. 



COLONEL MURRAY'S NOTES. 



Branding with hot irons was begun on Lukanin rookery, an effort being made to 

 train the men to do the work ; 350 were branded. 



SEPTEMBER 10. 

 MR. warren's notes. 



I made the following counts of dead pups on Lukanin rookery after the removal 

 of the early dead on August 13. Tlie bodies were not removed as counted, and the 

 increase between two dates is represented by the difference between the two counts. 



N'umber dead. 



Aug. 14 1 Aug. 31 28 



16 1 I Sept. 2 33 



20 5 1 4 33 



25 - 14 7 : 34 



27 22 10 35 



29 25 i 



SEPTEMBER 17. 



COLONEL MURRAY'S NOTES. 



The branding for the season was concluded on Zapadni rookery to-day, a total of 

 118 cows and 5,371 pups having been marked. I used two forces, with two men to 

 attend each, keeping six irons hot. One man carried the irons back and forth from 

 the forge. With nine active young men to handle the pups I found it possible to 

 brand 300 an hour without special exertion. 



