164 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 
A score or more of pups were killed under circumstances specially fitted to throw 
ligtit on the subject, and their stomachs, with those of others dead from starvation 
and other causes, were found to be devoid of all food except milk.' Pups killed as 
late as the 5th of December were found full of milk, and at that time the cows were 
nursing their pups as at earlier times in the season. Owing to the mild weather, this 
was nearly a month later than the usual time for the departure of the cows and their 
young, and the pups had evidently not yet been weaned. 
PUP ABSOLUTELY DEPENDENT UPON ITS MOTHER’S MILK. 
It would necessarily follow from these considerations that the fur-seal pup is 
dependent upon its mother’s milk for nourishment throughout the entire season and 
until its departure with her from the islands. This fact, taken in connection with the 
killing of nursing females at sea,is enough to settle the question of whether pups 
starve to death; but that there should be no mistake, the subject of starvation, as 
shown in its direct effect on the pups themselves, received special attention, and may 
be here considered somewhat in detail. 
1 See fuller discussion in Mr. Lucas’ paper on the Feeding of the Seals. Part III. 
