8 FUR SEALS OF ALASKA. 
the same work that is going on to-day. There is no difference in the 
matter. They are taking every fine young male, and that will go on 
until all the best breeders are gone. 
Mr. Mercatr. What is the length of life of these animals? 
Mr. Exuiotr. The male reaches his maturity at 5 or 6 years, and 
the female in 3 years. The male can propagate first when he is 6 
years old. The female receives the male when she is 2 years old, but 
they come outas yearlings exactly alike in weight, size, color, and skin, 
and every other outward resemblance, and you can not tell them apart 
unless you turn them over and examine them sub ano. 
Mr. Mzrcatr. What is the length of life if they are left alone? 
Mr. Exxiotr. A bull seal will serve sixteen or eighteen years if he 
is left. alone, I think. It is difficult to speak with authority on the 
subject. I advanced that proposition in 1872-1874, and no man has 
disputed it since; also no man can positively affirm it. The female 
reaches her maturity at 3 years old, and I think she lives ten or eleven 
years. I goon the general analogy that runs through life, taking 
three times the age of puberty. It takes a male six years to reach 
puberty. Therefore I argue, as I would with a dog, ora cat, ora 
horse, that he would be eighteen years in service and then drop out. 
Mr. Mercautr. Where do they die? 
Mr. Exnrorr. At sea. When they feel the rigor of death coming 
on they go out to sea; it is more comfortable in the water. 
Mr. Hitt. Is it Professor Jordan’s opinion that no action -is neces- 
sary ¢ 
Mr. Extiorr. Yes; he thinks everything has reached a point of equi- 
librium. He claimed six years ago that they would not increase or 
diminish very much; that the pelagic hunters were going out of 
business. 
Mr. Tawnry. What is the size of the herd now? 
Mr. Extiotr. The Treasury agent, in the presence of his chief and 
in my presence, December 17, last year, told me there were 150,000 of 
all classes, which I think is about right. The Treasury agent also told 
me afterwards that he did not think there were any more. He could 
not count on any more. That was the Ist of August. Since then 
20,000 seals were killed in Bearing Sea. I do not think there will be 
120,000 alive there next summer. 
Mr. Wiuutams. And there were 450,000 when Doctor Jordan said 
that he thought it would remain in equilibrium ? 
Mr. Exxiorr. Yes, there were 450,000 left, There is no use in 
Doctor Jordan or any other man arising here and saying he can improve 
on a law of nature for the breeding of wild animals. It is not scien- 
tific, and real scientific men will never indorse such a doctrine. I could 
name naturalists who would come here and scout at it, but there is no 
use in this—-that is not necessary—the life is gone. We have the dregs 
here, and yet these butchers come in and want to drain it. We have 
spent fourteen years trying to save it, and now if we let it go out with 
a bad smell it is too bad. 1 do not believe you will let it go in that 
scandalous manner. 
Mr. Mrrtoatr. In this bill (H. R. 13553, 57th Congress) there is this 
recital: ‘* Whereas the Government of the United States is reduced, by 
the failure of these official negotiations aforesaid, to the painful position 
of having been and being obliged to breed and protect annually some 
