42 



THE ASIATIC FUE-SEAL ISLANDS. 

 Number of sea oilers Mlled on Copper Island, 1870-189S. 



The returns of the sea otter hunt for 1896 were, according to Mr. Wachsmuth's 

 report, as follows: 



Of these 134 otters 131 were received by the company, viz, 120 belonging to the 

 catch of 1896, and 11 to the fall catch of 1895. Of the skins thus accepted 27 were of 

 the first quality and 104 of the second quality. 



The arctic blue fox is common on both islands, most of the animals now found 

 there being of the costlier dark phase, only a few white ones occurring occasionally 

 on Bering Island. These are killed regardless of place or season, to keep the strain 

 as pure as possible. The Copper Island fox skins are of a better quality, being larger 

 and darker. The capture of the foxes is subject to as stringent and efficient 

 regulations as that of the sea otter. The island is divided into a number of well- 

 defined districts (19 in Bering Island, 8 in Copper Island) for fox-hunting purposes, in 

 each of which there is a hut [yurt or odinotska) for the hunters. All the males between 

 18 and 60 years take part in the hunt, which ordinarily begins on E"ovember 10 (old 

 style) on Bering Island, and November 20 (old style) ' on Copper Island, closing 

 December 31. In each district a certain number of men, forming a gang, are detailed. 

 Bach gang hunts in common, and the proceeds of the hunt are divided according to 

 shares, or each man to take his own foxes, as each gang may decide. As the various 

 districts are more or less productive, a certain rotation is established, so that each 

 man has his chance at the best places as his turn arrives. Care, however, is taken 

 that the old men are located in the more comfortable places. 



The following table shows that the number of foxes decreases greatly when they 

 are hunted for several successive years. The hunt is therefore suspended for. one or 

 two seasons, with intervals according to circumstances, in order to give the animals 



' Since 1896 only after December 1. 



