INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 67 



fined to a series of bunched harems, immediately under Lukannon 

 Hill, which, by a careful estimate, shows from 35 to 40 bulls and 

 some 2,200 to 2,500 females. We notice an entire absence of the 

 "polsecatchie," and we see but three or four 6-year-old bulls on 

 the outskirts, and none in the water. The sweep from the foot 

 of Luckannon Hill to the westward, upon which the great bulk 

 of this rookery existed in 1874, and again in 1890, is completely 

 deserted, not a single harem being in existence there at the present 

 time. The entire field of 1874, under our feet here on the slopes 

 of Lukannon Hill, which was polished bare of every vestige of vegeta- 

 tion, and the rocks also, of all lichens, is now carpeted with a thick 

 sod between the rocks, and the yellow, brown, and gray rock lichens 

 that have grown since; also the lines of 1890 are nearly as well 

 covered with this vegetation, and unite in giving eloquent proof of 

 a complete elimination of the seal life thereon. 1 



We have looked into every harem to-day on these two rookeries; 

 we have not observed any evidence of fighting between the bulls, 

 even where they are close and within reaching distance of each other; 

 nor has there been any attempt of the outside bulls to enter the 

 harems and engage in combat, although a few bulls — bulls without 

 cows — are lying close on the outskirts of the harems. The same 

 understanding exists to-day between these breeding bulls as it did in 

 1874, to wit, that having fought for their stations and having 

 occupied them between the 4th of May and the middle of June, by 

 common consent and universal agreement they stay right there, 

 undisturbed by one another thereafter during the breeding season. 

 The proof of it is under our eyes at every harem that we have in- 

 spected and its neighbor. 



This remarkably striking elimination of that life of 1890, to say 

 nothing of the astounding shrinkage from 1874, is one of the most 

 impressive sad exhibitions that the investigator finds on these 

 islands. The mighty roar and the rumble on these rookeries of that 

 early time are now succeeded by a low and indistinct murmur and in- 

 termittent gurgling, gutteral growls. 



During this survey, looking down into those harems in the pockets 

 of Ketavie, in the amphitheater, and under the brow of Lukanin 

 Hill, where these notes are now being made, we have been unable to 

 see the slightest evidence of a dead or a trampled pup or of a cow 

 or cows torn or killed. These harems being directly under our eyes, 

 we have a clear view of the pups, looking up and along the sweep 

 occupied by them. Many pups are newly born, evidently only a few 

 hours or minutes, as the placentas or afterbirths lay bloody and fresh 



1 The following official record was made of this seal life on Lukanin and Ketavie in July, 1874 (see Mono- 

 graph Seal Islands: Elliott): 



"The next rookeries in order can be found at Lukanin and Ketavie. Here is a joint blending of two 

 large breeding grounds, their continuity broken by a short reach of sea wall right under and at the eastern 

 foot of Lukanin Hill. The appearance of these rookeries is like all the rest of them, peculiar to themselves. 

 There is a rounded swelling hill at the foot of Lukanin Bay, which rises perhaps 160 or 170 feet from the 

 sea, abruptly at the point, but swelling up gently from the sand dunes in Lukanin Bay to its summit at 

 the east and south. The great rookery rests upon its northern slope. Here is a beautiful adaptation of the 

 finest drainage, with a profusion of those rocky nodules scattered everywhere over it, upon which the 

 female seals so delight in resting. 



"As we stand on the bald summit of Lukanin Hill we can turn to the south and look over to Ketavie 

 Point, where another large aggregate of breeding seals comes under our eyes. The hill falls away into a 

 series of faintly terraced tables, which drop down to a flat. That again abruptly descends to the sea at 

 Ketavie Point. 



"Between us and the Ketavie rookery is the parade ground of Lukanin, a sight almost as grand as is 

 that on the reef, which we have feebly attempted to portray. The sand dunes to the north and west are 

 covered with the most luxurious grass, abruptly emarginated by the sharp abrasion of the hauling seals." 



