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BY DAVID STARR JORDAN, /'lysii/ni/ of Lr/aiiu S/anfonf Jr. r,iiv,'r<;ity COMMISS.ONHH IN CHAHOH OP FUR-SEAI. INVEST.OAT.ONS OP ,896-97. WITH THK K()I.LO\VI\(; OKFiriAI. ASSOCIATKS: LEONHARD STEJNEGER and FREDERIC A. LUCAS CJl tl.c- II. ^s. X,,tlo,.,.l .M,.«c.,,M.. JEFFERSON F. MOSER, I-ieiileiiaiil-Ci»iiiiuuulei\ r. S. X CHARLES H. TOWNSEND, or tiiu. 11, is. K,«,, co,>.,„i««iJ„. GEORGE A. CLARK, SSi;o,..^toij- ,,11.' St>..rioKraph»;r. JOSEPH MURRAY, WITH SPECIAL PAPERS BY OTHER CONTRIBUTORS. PART 1. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFITCB. I8q8. \.Vo \\^y CONTRIBUTORS OI- PAPERS OX SPECIAL SUBJECTS. iN!A.'riI-,\N I3y\TS:l. KLIULliW COOK, jJAXiKi. \v. co!Ji:illi::t, \VILLI.\M II. HA1.U, \vii.uiv\M K. in:nLiiv, HAl-eWSOX (i. IJVAK, KLMEW K. KAWMl-W, flERFJE A.. KISH, CHAWUE« H. OIUiaEI-eT, alhickt hassaul, maktim lixxei^u, james m. macoun, JK:>;NIIi C. MILLEK, \V.\L riil< MILUKI-J, ^VIUUIA1VI r'ALMKK, MAWv J. KA-riim;x, NVILLIAX^I IC. l-;n TKW, JOSEr-H M. KOSIC, Ei:<'.EXE A. SSCMWAKZ, KOMEKT E. S^NOllOWAiS) WILLIAM A. (SXO\V, CIIAWLES W. SXILE«, WILUIIK \V. 'riioui:KM, KWEDERICK W. XWUE. 23u fi^ wifi mmmmmmmmmmmfmwmmmm^iim I \r+^=Fn^ 1*AKT I. Tin: HISTORY, COXDITIOX, AM) XEliDS Ol' Till- HERD OF FUR SBALS RFSORTINX; TO TH1-; PRIBILOF ISLANDS. DAVID STARR JORDAN AND GEORGE ARCHIBALD CLARK. ILMSTRATEI) BV PHOTOGUAFilS, AM) in I.KAW I.N.IS KKO.M XATl' RK BV BRISTOW ADAMS. 15184 1 1 rRKASUKY 1 )i;PAUT.MIONT, I> ocMiiii'iit No. L'Ol" Itirision o/ Special .Igeiils. ■■^■■i^ q,„ . , , . , . I-'EBKUAUY 24, 1,S!)8. Sm . I have tlu, honor to submit herewith my final report as com.ni.s.sio„er i > charge oi tur-seal invest>j,'atio..s for the seasons of 1896 and 1.S97. ^ Very respectfully, yours, David Staer Jokuan, Hou.LvMAN.1. (lAGE, Commissio,,,,: Secretary of the Treasury, Washinyton, JJ, C. TABLE OF CC)N1^r]XTS. PART I. ClIAl'TKIt CflAPTKIl ClIAPTKK III, 1. — I.VTRODI'CTION: Thf occasion of the iiii|uiry ''"*'"• 'I'lio act of Couj^reNs '" Tbe cunniiiNMioii ^7 The Bcoi)o of the worl. '^ The irixcsti>,'atioii„ W The report 19 Itinerary, iH'.m 1!> Itiiicriiry, 1H97 20 11.— HisToitiCAi. >Skkt( II: 21 Discovery aijil exploration Ileriug's second voyage -3 JMscovcry of Co.uMi:;:„lcr an I'lotcction of fomaies 25 The herd at the chjso of Russian control ^^' J'he interregnum 26 I'rofessor I )air8 notes 26 The number of seals killed "'' Mr. Howes's notes 26 The trading companies 26 The work of scaling 26 Methods of driving 27 Russian methods 27 The killing not indiscriminate .."...' 27 American nianagemeni '-H Th<- Alaska Commercial Company". 2« The, first lease '2H The North American ('ommeVcialCompanv "'9 The present lease ' 29 The decline in the bachelor herd 29 Land ,ind sea killing 29 The extension of sealing to Itering Sea "" The Tribunal of Arbitration .... ^0 Theeffcctof the Regulations.... '^0 — TlIK HoMK OIC THE Flu 8EAI..S: •^>' A. The Pribilof Islands Their geography 31 St. Paul Island ..^.....[[[ 31 St. George Island 31 Otter Island ^1 Walrus Lsland 32 32 5 6 TAHI.K OK (;nN'n:NT8. CiiAi'irit III.— I'm; IIomk or tiii: I'm Skals— ('(mtlmu'd. A. 'I'lir I'l'iliilof IhIiiikIn— C'intliiilfil. Page. Siviitcli Koik H2 'I'ho 'I'hr (iovornni)'iit iiKt-iitN 35 H. Tlio fiir-Bciil rooliPrit'B 3(i The l>r<'e(linn KroiiiidH 3 3(i 36 3(! 36 37 37 38 38 38 38 3!» 3!» 40 40 40 40 40 41 41 41 41 41 42 12 42 43 43 43 44 44 44 44 44 45 45 45 45 45 46 46 46 TAIirj; OI' CONTKNTS. (■.UnKU IV.-T„K. K, u S,:m. „n s,:, HkaI.-( n„,i„„...l, I'lic catoKcri.H of hciiU— ( ■<.iil iiiiird. '""" ' Till' fi'iiinle Tlir l>,'ii'li(tlor j Tlio hull hull [] / 'I'hc iillo hull ..' ' The y(iiirliii);N iinil vlr«hm , I'ho |iu|i.M '•'•' iKrntii.iiN <,f iIiuhuhIm .^. ...! Tlioir Huiiiiiii'i' iiiovciiiniiM The liiiiilH iiriiii;{iiiliiiii '*» <<"ir8iMiii(l(|iirutioii .. captk., v.-TnKiu.,.v.,„.K.„.T„KKuuKK,;;,;:; I h(^ iiiil vhI ut thr islnnds Till' iiiiiles Mutt! o(t>inli,,^t, ,iiri\,ilH Till' olilcHt riiiini liiHt Tlio hiichi'liirs Stilt istiiN of killiiiKs -■ Ji.'KJiiriiii}; „r I h„ NualiiiK s''HN(.ii .'."'.".... I'ho .iriiviil of the cows Their iiicomliijr jrijidiial. Their HI rival not ih.. o.vuNion o, i|uhtV„",r The iiicthcxl of liiiiiliiij; " MaHNiMl lookiM-y foriijHii,,, Diiily lookciy coiiiit.s Syn.iimis o( Kiii>vi lookorv ., The beifplil of tho woiiNon..' Kluctiiiition of jmpiiliition Aiiiiihithcatcr of Kitovi ] Inrioase of fiiinilicH What tb.' height of thoNeasonm..iuiN'.. Tho |H-iio«l ciiirciitly iiiiNiiii.hisiood .... 'I'lir birth of the ))ii|i •"> Tho feediiiji; of the cows ^'> SwiiiiiiiiiiK Hi-als r>."> Tho seal digests its food in the water' '"' The evidenco of tli(! piip.s •"'" The fastiM^of the sealH :"l> The harcni 57 Kiirifo hareniN Ilaieiii sizes Harem diHcipIine The departure of the eows Methods of discipline The tlshtinjrof tli,. Iiiills The ..arl.v ligbtiiiH: ov.'restiiiiated No (iKht iuK ov.r airivin;. cows l''iKhtiiig inihienced hy sexual instjn.t Manner of lightinjr Keallljrhtiiig The treatment of the rows '. The wounds of the fur seal..... 16 Iti 47 47 47 17 17 17 IS \H I!) 4!) I!) 4!) r.d r.(i 50 51 51 52 52 52 53 53 53 5) 51 51 51 The instinct for tighlinff... Th.' noise of the rookeries . The sleeping se, of the lirfediii}; seaHOii 07 The eonditioii <>t the hulls (i7 The food and feeding ^'oin'ds (i8 ^*eath of ])ups 70 The parasite, rncinaria 70 The count of dead pups, IH'M 70 C'oni)>arative counts 71 The departure of the seals 71 — ^fhc eiii'uiies of tlie sea's 71 The (ireat Killer 71 The dejiarture of the liai'helors and bulls 7U The swiiuMiin;; of the seals 72 The rate of travel 72 Ha hits of the southern fur seals 73 Their nu)venients 73 * They do not inijtrate 71$ ^"' ltreodiu<>' liahits 73 Breeding; ({rounds 74 The liithtinK "f the bulls 74 Ditferenee in time of birth 74 CHAl'TKlt VI. — TilK CoN'DlTiON oi' Till': VvK Skai. IIbiid: A. I'ast ronditions 75 Ai'reage uieasurenients 75 Their ditliculty 75 Abseneo of reliable surveys 76 The irregular nature of the ground 76 (,'hiolly guesswork 76 Magnitude of the problem -. 70 Early estimates ^ 77 Captain Bryanfs estimate 77 The beginning of arreage ni<'asuren>ent» 77 KUiott's estimate of lM7l'-74 77 Important assumptions 78 The law of distribution 78 Assum))tious iniorri^ct 78 The true law of distribution 78 Stability of rookery conditions only apparent.. 78 Hesults of Elliott's enunn'ratiou 79 The tigures unreaHouable 79 'I'he methods of enunu'ratitm 79 The surveys can iu>t be \ erilied 80 The effei't of inaccurate survex s 80 Inadei|uato unit of space 80 A more rational unit 81 ClIAI'THK VI, TAHLK OF CONTKNTS. g -TiiK CoNDiTiox ..I- Tin.: K.k S..:.vr. Ili.:K„-(onti.,Me,l. A. I'ast (•.piidiiioiis— Contiiincl. '"<■'"• Thcfstiiiiiite Cor Kitovi and Lukaiiiii A iiieasnro of tlio oviTcsliin.itc _ Tho rcmnts of Mr. Heaiiiaii ][\ '*" ( aptaiu Itrvaiit's note '*- Spilki and I'oloviiiii ., ''. '*"' I'fusoiiiil ('NtiinatesdifrBr ^ '*'^ Klliott's use of lifriircs ^'^ -Mr. Tiii^rie's cstiiiiatu ] ^'^ The I'stiniate inconeft **' Klliott's 18E0 estimate.. ..!!^'''''".'.'^.\" '^ TliiNestiiiinteiiiiHiitisfactoiy [[[ **' Iho True and Townsond estimate for mc, ^t rill) .'stiinate must be donblod '*!' It anticipated tlio season [\ ^^ Arl.itrary reduction f<,r massed rookeries *"'' riio estimate revised '^'* Tlie important feature of the estimate ' ^'f -Mr. Crowley's estinuite for 18it5 ^" t' **" Contrast of aereafjo measurements. ^' Summary of j),ist eonditions '^ A rectmstrueiion of earlier estimates'. "'^ The earlier and later .piotai **'^ The Muota depemlent uj.on the bVeedinj? ""herd '''' Estimates of Tum-breeilins seals ... ^ The reeouHtruetion still only an estimate ***' Comjdeted estimate *' 1!. I'resont eonditions > Comparison of counts of cow's nu.l p'n'ps *' Proportion of cows to pups "" Avera^'e harem of Kito\ i ^> Ci'ususof 1897 )t7 " !>7 10 TAHLK OP CONTENTS. (."HAi'TKB VI.— Thk Condition ok thk Fni Seal 1Ikhi>— Coiitinnml. Page. IJ. rrcscnt couditiona — Continued. Us value !t7 The ('niiiiieration of nonbret-ding seals 9(S Idle and half bMlls 98 The liachflors !t8 Itejected seals !»8 The one and two year old females !()t The losses nu\onn the yimufj seals itil The estimates of nonbreeding seals }l!t The completed estimate lor animals of all elasses 100 Animals present, season of tW' 100 Deductions for losses 100 Animals dead, season of 1M97 100 The value of the estimate 101 The true basis of enumeration 101 ('HArTEK VII.— The Dkci.ixk or the IIekd; Kussian management 102 (iradual improvement in methods 102 The equilibrium of the herd 102 The beginning of decline 102 The failure of the quota 103 The breeding herd 103 Till' quota since 18it0 103 Quota of 1894-95 103 The evidence of decline 104 Abandoned grounds 104 Their extent 104 ( irass-grown areas 104 Time necessary to establish these areas 1()."> Photographs 10.5 Between sueeessive seasons inadequate 105 Their value covering long periods 105 Their record of the abandonment of territory lOt! Their limitations 106 Their relations to daily rookery eouuts 106 The true value of photographs 107 Townseud's crosses 107 Shrinkage of breeding area 107 Tolstoi sand tiat, Ardiguen, etc 107 Decrease of dead jinps 108 Dead pups, 1896-97 108 Increased mortality among the cows 108 The diminished quota 108 The decline between 1896 and 1S97 109 Comparative counts 109 Actual I'ounts 109 Summary of percentages 110 Decrease in the average si/e of harem HO The count of cows 1 10 The count of pups an absolute measure 110 Lagoon rookery Ill The cpiotas of 1896 and 1897 Ill The quota of 1896 fixed Ill The (|iiota of 1897 iudelinite HI Killings for the quota, 18!)6-97 112-113 Chaptei! ClIAPTKH Chaptku TABLE OF CONTENTS. j^ VII.— TirK nECLiNK OF THE HERD-Continiie.l. T\w evidence of decline— Contiiiii.d. ^'*^" 'I'lie (|iiota of 18!)7 harder to jjct The (Hiota a direct nieasiiio of l.rcediiig herd The,|uotaof 18!t7 and the I'aris regulations. .!.'.' ,,! The total decline in the herd VIII. -The Caise of the 1)e(i,ine: ^^'* •Joint a<;recment of ]«02 No coMipctent natural lause ^''.' Natural cause.s of niort.ility constant ....][[.[[.. ?'? The real cauNe an artidcial one " l-and and sea killinjr ^^^ A. Laud killing:— its methods ^^^ Auiuials killed " ^"| Killing Neason ''*' The driving '. ^It* ■ The drive ] ^"' The killing [['' 117 The Aleuts .....]..[[. "'"^ The skiuniuK of the seals ^^** Division of labor ' ^'* Treatuientof the skins ........ ^^..' '^** The effects of laud killinjf ^^^ Removal of snperlluous male llfi.'l.enehVia'l "'* Possibility of overkilliuff ^■^" A hypothetical case ." ..' ^^^ Such killing not practicabl.' ^'^^ Otter Island not driven '"^ Defective skins 1-1 Overkilling of males has not occurred '"' Statistics of the quota '^l Laud killing. 1870-97 ^'^'"^ ^'oluntary reduction of quota. 187t;l-7 ^"" Voluntary reduction, 1882-83... ^-- No dearth of male life " " " ^'■i^ Killing of males not a factor in decline '^- Prematuro killing 123 Antici|.aiion of quota ..^ ^^3 Tableshowingdateofiilling quota "etc ^"^ The killing of unchasizcd seals . . . . ' '^'^ Such killing did not allect the herd ^'^* Premature killing wasteful but not inimious ,'^f KUIiugof pups wasteful ' 1-^ Absence of injury to the herd.... ^-* Methods on the Commander Islands '-•"• I >r. Stejneger's observations 1-'"' I\ Tm- T,,.. '^'"••^^'"•"'"'■■""lolil'M.u Iteriug Island;:: If l)riviug and its suppo.sed results The luocess of driving l-l' The animal driven 12(1 The theory intangible 127 Its logical lll\lXli— (NllltillUOll. l>agc. 'rb<> KiiHsiaii <1riveH I'M Tlic ilrivt! from Nortlienst I'niiit 12S Tlif AmtTicau drives VJii Tlie ilri v»'8 greatly Nliorteiicd 129 Kef driveway 12it The cliarai^ter of the route 125) The length of the drive VM) C'onipariHoii of drives 130 The Commander driveways IHO /apadiii ,. 130 I'ahit a 131 No evil results from these drives 131 Care exercised in driving 131 The fur seal not ill-adapted to land travel 131 The " carcass-strewn " driveways 132 Fatalities on the drives 132 Injuries to bachelors could not atVect herd 132 The impossibility of sexual injury 133 Voluntary movements of the males 133 Driving not a factor in the decline 133 ClIAPTEl! X. — Al.I.KCEl) TossniLK ClIANtiK OK HAHII'S: Migration to Commander Islands 134 The tixity of habits 134 The seal's low intelligence 134 Contact with man has had no cti'ect » 135 Alteration of conditions i;tr> The bachelors of Itering Island 135 Arbitrary solection of males 136 The effect of decline 130 I'ossibility of driving the seals elsewhere 136 The abandonment of Si.ilki 137 The presence of the villii not the cause 137 Kxposed condition of Lagoon rookery 137 The real cause of the ahandonuient 137 Origin of Lagoon and Spilki 138 Abaudimmeut of Maruuicheu 138 KUiott's theory for Sivutch rookery 138 Si vutch overlooked in 1S72-1S74 138 The notions of the Aleuts 139 These notions shared by (lovernnient agents 139 The policy of seclusion detrimental 140 Intelligent inspection not wanton iuvnsitui 140 Ins|>eetion not harmful 140 Relations of nmn have not aiVected the seals 141 t'HAPTKIl XI. — I'KI.Atili; SKAI.ING, OK KlM.INU AT SEA ; The nature of pelagic sealing 142 The hunting of the Indians 142 Introduction of white nn-n and vessi-ls 142 The expansion of the industry 142 The use of firearms 143 The modus vivendi 143 The regulations of the I'aris a ward 113 The sealing vessels 143 Methods of sealing 144 The seals as fcmnd 144 Methods of capture — the spear 144 mmm TAHLF, OF CONTKNTS. 13 CllArXKR XI.— I'F.I.AIilf Si'.AI.INd, OR Kir.l.INIi AT SKA— rontillUfd. ]•»)•«. Tlio nhootiiiK of tin- seiils HI Loss resultiiiK from sbootiiig M"> The spear loOHt wiistffiil 115 Northwest t' oast sf'iiliiijr 146 itoriug Seaseiiliii"; 110 I'elrtKic ciitcli Ut> Does uot iiii'liide snils killed, lint lost 1 17 Karl.vseHliiiK eon lined to Pribilof herd 147 8u8|ieiision of land killinj; 147 Modus Vivendi transferred sealing; to Asiatie si(h' 147 Decline of the ciiteh 148 I'nfavoralile wciither not the cause 148 i'elagic killiuf; iind land killinj; roni|iared 14M Statistics rej;ardin<; land and sea killin;f 149 The period from 18T1-1S8L' 149 Growth of the catch 149 Kelation of gains and losses in the herd 149 I'eriod snhsci|nent to 18M1' 150 Kx]ianBioii of iiela)i;ii'; decrease of lanil seal in j; 150 Cause of decline ti> bo soiiijht in breed ing herd 150 The beKiniiinu of the tied i no 151 Karly pelagic sealinj; a mere check 151 Irregnlar <|nota since 1890 151 I'elagic sealing and the Coniniander herd 152 Interrelation of pelagic and land catches 153 ClUI'TKR XII.— TlIK El'l KCT <)l PKI.AlilC SEAI.INC: I'elagic sealing kills females 153 I'elagic sealing and the sealing of the South Seas 153 Methods of southern scaling 1,53 "Indi^!C^imiuate" uot "excessive" 154 The prepon'2 Supposed self-fctMliug of pups 163 The absurdity of the tlicory 163 Doterniinatioii of the luatter li.v killing pups U>3 Pups aliHohitely dopeiuleut upou mothers' milk 164 CitArTKK XIII.— The Stakvation of I'li-s: The count of starved pups 1H5 lrinning8 of starvation 165 Notes on starvinjj pups 16."> The hungry pup 166 Tlu! lircakingdowu 166 Tlie death of the starveling 166 Difficulty of distinguishing early dead pups 166 Many early dead pups disappear 167 Starving puj)s 167 The work of the foxes 167 Dead pups, St. (ieorgc Island 167 ■{ecoustruction of St. (ieorge estlniutes 168 The detailed estimate 168 Pup statistics 169 The count of starved pups in 18i>7 169 The removal of the early deiid 170 EstiMiute of stnrved pui)s for 1897 170 Importanci' of tliesc ligures 170 Destructive ett'cctsof pelagic sealing estahlislied 170 The cumulative clfoct 171 Total ell'ect of pelagic sealing 171 The effect since 1883 171 The etfect under the P.aris regulations 172 CiiAriKK .\IV.— Ki'i-Kcr or Pelacic Skai.inu on the .'^eai. Skin Indi'stuy: International interest in the fur seals 173 I'nited States interests 173 Russian interests 174 The interest of (irciit liritain 174 Canadian pelagic sealing interests 174 Valuation of the lleet 174 Pelagic sealing suicidal 175 Ktiect of the declining catch 175 Legality of pelagic H<'aling 175 Pi ibitiou to Americans 176 Distinctly a Canadian industry 176 Chaitek XV.— Thk Uesii.ts of the Pauis Awabic A. The arbitration 177 The origin of the fur seal question 177 The sei/.ure of vessels 177 Ertorts to secure intermvtional action 177 Proposed measures of protectitm 177 Objection by Canada 178 , l{eu<'wal of negotiations 178 The counter proposition unsatisfactory 178 Proposals for arbitration 178 TABLK OP CONTENTS. jk CUnKH XV.-TMK Kks,„,,s ok ,„k P.k,s Aw.K,.-C.,„r„.,.o.l. A. llieiiil.itiation— Contiiiiicd. '''"■''' 'I'lie modus viveiiili Tho Joint coiuiiiiHsion <»( iiH|iiirv.. ''" The tribunal '. ._ '^" Tbe Joint report of the oonimission...... 'P* The Aiiicriciiii couteiitioii '"'* The Uritish conteution '' '^*^ Their coiiipiiriitiveiiieritN "^*' li. The regulations "^" Tlie minor provisions "*** The sixty -inilo zone '^" The elo.se Neason "^' KegulatioMsiHliipted to worli of sealers '**' The cost ol' enCorcinjr the regulations. . !'.".' ||^^ The lailiireof the re;.ulationH '^ The ie.leen.inK lii.'tnre of the regulations .'.'.'; \f, Ihe purpose of arbitrators "'- CiivPrre Yvi c ''•''' '''••witi<'"t"l>r..t.TtMn.lpre'8e'rve;.' !^'^ Statements of fact. CIIAPTEU XVII.-TIIE KkmeIJV ,.oU TIMO Dk.'UNk' iu' TME 'iIkuI. • '■ ^^^'^*^' Revision of the regulations not ade(, Mate I'elagic sealing ,,,„ not exist without th- UilVing of Ven'iVles '^^ Total proi l.iti.mof iii|.|,.i,. H....ii„,r fi. , '"'"''les 1^7 A ieeon,sideration of tlie .(uestion A basis for the reopening of the .sul.jeVt '***^ bindings of faet— the deeline ' '«« Slow rate of increase in tlie herd ***^ Males tan be killed with impunity '«« K.\c<-S8ivo destruction of females." "**' Compromise lindings '' I«!t Tlie herd ('(unmereiallv ruined "*<' Lnportaneeofthe fur seal heril . . "'^ ."..ker.es ,,,„ ,, -^ "'''"I'Kiiiieleus remains li'O LIIA1'TI:H XIX. — b'KCO.MMKNDATIOXs: 1 Inadeciuaey of past knowledge. . The (ioveniment agents m.t Civesti-aVoVs ""^ I'ailure to understand conditious ... l"l The wild-animal poliey l!tl l"iek of fait Ii in our methods....'" 'it» U'as'efnl management ^ 1!»2 |n.o two vital .|i:,.8tioirs yet uiilvnown "'^ Ihe fixing of th,> .|uota ... 1(»2 Qiiestions whieh re,,uire eonViuiumsVtud v '"=* A faxed quota not desirable " I!t3 The proportion of males needed"'' K't Minor problems. .. 194 An.KMHx r.-«tatistS'':T!"''':'"r!!"''^'"'«^^ m Table of killings ' I97 Summary of totals '. 1re8ideDt''s scciretary of Stanford Uirivcraity, was appnintod secretary to tlu^ coinniis- sion, and Col. Joseph Murray, of Fort Collins, (Jolo., formerly United States Treasury agent at Ht. i'aul Island, aiul reai)i)ointed in 1897 to the same position, was made special assistant. (Ireat liritain named as her commission of investigation Prof. IVArcy Wentworth Thompson, «)f University College, Dundee, Scotland; Mr. (lerald K. H. Barrett- Hamilton, of Dublin, Ireland, and Mr. James Melville Macoun, of the Geologi(;al Survey of Canada. The Canadian goverununt detailed Mr. Andrew Halkett to make special investigation of the oi)erations of the pelagic tleet. THE SCOPE OF THE WORK. In his letter of instructions to the commission, under date of .linic l.'i, liS9ortant (IvdnctionH niuy lie readied. Tlio |irin('i|ial object of tbls invcHtigat'oii is to deturniinc b,v prvcinc and detaib'd obHcrvalion.s, fiixt, tilt- prcHent condition of the American fur-seal herd; Heiond, tbe nature and innnineneu of the eauHes, if any, which ap])ear to threaten its exterrninatiou; third, what, if any, benefits have been secured to the lienl throu>rh the operation of the act of ('ou|;ruHs uud act of I'arliamcnt based upon tbe award by tbe I'ai'is Tribunal of Arbitration; fourth, what, if any, additional protective measures ou bind or at sea, or chan>;es in the present system of re^culations as to the doseil season, prohibited zone, prohibition of lirearuis, etc., are reipiired to insure the preservation of the fur-seal herd. Your inquiries should furthermore be extended, in so far as the time and circumstances permit, to embrace the cousiderution of all important iiuestions relalinj; to the natural history of the seals, both at sea aud on the islands, with special reference to their bearing upon the sealing industry. To this general plan of intjuiry was apitended the following list of sjieciHc questions: 1. The effect of pelagic sealing \n the Xorth Pacific Ocean and llering Sea upon tlie fur-.seal herd, due account being taken of the classes of seals killed. 2. What elVcct, if any, has the annual removal of bachelor seals, which has taken place on the I'ribilof Islands, had upon the fur-seal herd f The solution of these two ([uesticuis inv(dves a study of the entire subject of the regulations of the two sexes and the ]iroporti()n of the uuile seals rei|uired to be preserved in order to maintain the stability of the herd. 3. Whether killing on land or sea has interfered with tlie regular haliits uud occupation of tbe islands by the held, or has o]ierated to reduce the strength of the seal race as a whole by a natural selection. 4. The propriety of existing methods of driving seals from the hauling grounds to the killing grounds, culling, aud other practices connected therewith. 5. The cause of the destruction of nursing pu]is upon the islands. During the seasons of ISitt and 189.") about 20,000 and ;{0,000 dead pujis, respectively, were found upon the islands. Yon should specially consider the causes of their death, whether from starvation or other cause, preserving specimens whenever practicable. (). The extent, date, and ouiise of mortality on the islands of seals of all classes. SUII.IECT8 FOli INVESTIGATION. lf» 7, 'I'hu liri'i'ilin){ liitliits ot thu huiiIh, with Hpot^ia) rolcrt'iicu to tho ii);r iit wliicli l\\p I'oiiiiiliM lir^in or coaHi' to Itrt'iiil, and tlic frei|iiuiify of tlio brt'eilin^, wliutlirr iiiiniiully or iit Imi^vr iiitcrx^ilH. X. Tlio I'onilition ol feiiiiilu senU taken iit xea, an to iiiirMiii); iiiiil |irt>)riiaii<'.v. !). Tliu iliHtiiiii'e w liii'h tint scvitral claNrtuH of Hralx go from th<> iHlantlH iiinl tlio iliroctioutt wliicli tliry take ill suarcli of food or rcHt at dilVemit tiiiiuM (luring the HeaHon. 10. Tlio actual (IcrrciiHc if any, In tlie niiiiilior of HvalH in uacli claxN on tlic I'riliilof iNlaiuU wliii'li luiH ocnirrud during tin- piiHt yeiir, and also nIiu'o the yenr 18!H), iiiid Hiiici' tlii< yitur 1S70. A rai'ofiil reuHiis of tlir I'ookorieH ahoiild liu taken tbis Huason fur roni|iariNiin with tlie onuiiicration inadt' in I8!ir> and |ii'i'viouM vearN. 11. An uMiiiiination of tlio iiucHtion as to the cliaracter of the food of fur hiniIs. 12. Whotlior tlio I'rildlof iNlaiid liord of fur souls interminglo with tlio Asiatio herds of tliu C'oiiiiiiauder or Kuril i.shinds. IH. Whother uiirsiug soula niiiMit other tbuii their own |iu|m on I ho islands. THE INVESTIGATIONS. Acting uiidur thusu iiistnictiuiiH the cuiiiuiissiuii uf invustigatidii liavu made a detailed inspection and Htndy of tiie habits, condition, and needs o\' the I'l-iiiilot' Islands herd, with a conipreliensive and almost equally exhaustive study of the herds of the Commaudia- and Kuril islands. The main results of our investiyutions lor the season of 18!>G have already been published by the Treasury Department in the form <»f a preliminary report.* The work during the season of 1890 was sutlicieut to jirove the depleted condition of the herd and to point out the cause of its threatened destruction. It, however, showed clearly that all preceding calculations as to the number of seals resorting to the Pribilof Islands were useless for purpo.ses of comiiarison, being grossly exaggerated in the early years of American control, and as largely underestimated in the later years through a misapprehension of the actual conditions of ro(»kery life. It therefore became impossible to form an accurate estimate of the relatise conditions i)f the breeding herd or of the rate of its decline. The work of investigation was therefore continued during the season of 1S!>7, and its sui)plemental results have been embodied in «M)ndensed form in a second preliminary report t which has recently been published by the Treasury Department. It now remains for us to bring into the shape of a final report the completed results of our labors. In accordance with th»^ broad scope of our instrmrtions we have endeavored, so far as opportunity aflbrded, to consider "all important questions relating to the natural history of the seals, both at sea and on the islands,'' and the work has therefore become very voluminous. THE REPORT. This report naturally falls into four parts or divisions. In Part I tue main phases of the fur-seal controversy have been taken up and discussed at length, such historical matters as seem necessary for a clear understanding of the matter being added. lu this general discussion the results of more detailed studies on special topics, which appear in Part III, are freely used and the original studies referred to for more complete information. Part I, therefore, becomes a complete report in itself of the investigation so far as the general condition, needs, and possibilities of the Pribilof Islands herd of fur seal are concerned. • Oliservations on the Fur Souls of the Pribilof Islands, .Jordan, 1S96. tSooond Preliminary Report of the Bering Sea Fiir-Seal Investigations, .Imiliiii, isit". 20 THE FUtt SEALb OF THE rRIUILOF ISLANDH. Ill I'lirt II is (fivoii tlio niiiiiito and detiiilud joiiriml (/4' daily olmurviitiniis of tliu iiiciiiliurs of the voiiiiiiissioii. This recurd, being the chief basis for the coiicliisiuiiH ill tiif ^i'licral report, becoinos a most important part of the work. To it is appeiid«', 10, and 11 were spent in and about this island making general observations, photographing the rookeries, and counting the breediii' cals. The time between .July 12 and 18 was occupied in similar work on St. Paul I nd. •Inly 18 the AUmttoss steamed for I'nalaska, leaving Mr. Towusend then- and taking Dr. Stejneger to the Commander Islands. July 30 to August !> were spent about these islands, August 2li to -'(> about the Kurils, and August 28 to September 2 about liobbeu Island, reaching Hakodate, Japan, September 10. On July 28 Mr. Lucas, Professor Thompson, and < "oloiiel Murray visited St. Cieorge Island, the tirst two returning to St. Paul on August 5. Mr, Towusend returned from l-iialaska August s, and be and Mr. Lucas spent the time until the 12th at sea, on board the Rush, boarding vessels of the sealing tleet, August eaiers. "The HiiBHiiiu l-'iir .Seal iHlaiiilH, Stojuo^fr; Itiill. V. S. MsU Com., 18!M>. ITINEUAHY. 21 On SoptonilMT s Ih. •lordiiii, I'rorvssoi- Tlioiiipsoii, iiii«l Mr. Liu'iih sa*!*'*! witli tlio li'iixli lot- Sitkii anil IliciKc to ^^ciittlc, Mt'SHiH. Clark, Miummiii, liairvtt liaiiiilton, and Colonel Murray rt'niainin^' on St. I'aiil. On ScpttMhltiM' 1 1 turtht'i' fxporiinuntH in hrandiii^f w(m-«i ina. Tlit- slarvod an*l .starving pups on St. Paul \vim»^ ronntrd Si'iitiMnbcr 28 to October 1. A Hiniilar count was nnidcon St. <7 Xitrtr arrived at Wood Island, Kadiak, May .'U, and at Dutch Harbor, Cnalaska, on the morning' of June I. June 7. — The />e/ Xortr arrived at St. (ieorge IslamI, renniinin;; at am-hor «lis charfjin^- carj;(» until the evening; of the llth, duriii}; tvhich time all tli« rookeries of St. (Jeorfie were visited and daily visits were nnide to N'^orth rookery, near the villa^ic. June IL*. — On the morning of June \2 Mr. Clark vas landed on St. Paid Island and bejian ilaily observation of the breediufj rookeries. .Inly 1. — Mr. Lucas arrived on the h'iinli at St. Paul July I, Dr. Stejne};er, who ai'companietl him to Cnalaska, liavin^' sailed direct from that portfor the Commander Islaiuls on board the (Iriint. .July 7. — Dr. StejucKer was landed by the U>nnt on \Wv\\\\* Island. .luly !•. — Mr. Lm-as examined the rookeries of St.deorjje Island. Mr. Chichester accompanied him ami plioto^j^raphed the lookcries for the United States Fish Com- miss'on. July lli. — The eountiuK of the cows was be^run on the rookeries of St. Paul and the series of photographs for the Cuited States Fish Commission made. July -'5. — Dr. .lordan arrived at St. (ieorge Island and, after visiting theroo'.eries there, was landed 011 St. Paul July l.'8. JulyJM). — The count of live pups was begun on the test rookeries. Kitovi was counted by Messrs. Clark and Macoun on August -. This was followed by a count of dead pups on the "death tra|»s" of Zapadni and Tolstoi. August.'*. — Professor Thompson arrived at St. Paul on It. M. S. h'aiiihoir from the Commander Islands. August 8. — Mr. Macoun left St. Paul on II. M. S. I'limmnt, August 11. — Dr. .lordan ami Mr. Clark left St. Paid Island cm the revenue-. — Dr. Stejneger was transferred from Mering Island to Copper Island on the Russian cruiser KoreHx. August 16. — Professor Thompson left the Pribilof Islands on II. M, S. Amitliioii, August 18. — Mr. Lu<;as left St. Paul on the Del Xortc, arriving in San Francisco August .'U. 22 THK KUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOP ISLANDS. August 31.— Dr. 8tejiieger returned to IJeriiig Island by tiic Russian cruiser Yakut, leaving immediately for retropanlski. where lie arrive«l on September 4. Septembei- 2.— Seals were driven from Reef, Lukauin, and Middle Uill and retained in the Lagoon inclosnrc until the 9th. September 1).— Beginning with this date Colonel Murray, on St. Paul, and Mr. Judge, on St. Cleorge, branded fur-seal pups. September 11.— Mr. Farmer and assistants in the work of electrical branding h;ffc St. Paul Island on board the revenue-cutter Perry. September L'7.— Dr. Stejneger made a tiiml visit to Bering Island to investigate the starvation of pups, returning to Petropaulski on October 20, sailing thence home- ward by way of Japan. October ir>. — Colonel Murray made a final counting of starved i)ups on Lukanin and Kitovi rookeries of St. Paul Island. A I'lore minute daily record of investigations will be found in connection with the journal of daily observations kept by the commission, and wiiicli appears in full elsewhere in this report. < CHAPTER TI. HISTORICAL SKETCH. DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION. The early discoveries and exploratious in and about the waters of Bering Sea followed as a result of tlie occupation of the eastern coast of Siberia by tbe Russians in tlie latter part of the seventeenth century. The organized ettorts to explore the unknown seas beyond were begun in the reign of I'eter the (Jreat and were roiupleted after his death by Lis successor, the Knipress Catherine. The first impo-.-tant expedition sailed in two vessels from Kamchatka in 17li8 uiuler charge of Vitus Bering. One vessel discfovered St. Lawrence Island and sailed tiirough the straits to the north; the other reached the continent of North America near the mouth of the Hiver Yukon. BERING'S SECOND VOYAGE. Thirteen years afterwards Bering ^\!t out with a second expedition which reached America at Kayak Island, in the vicis.ity of Mount St. Klias. I'pon the homeward voyage the Commander Islands were discovered, and the ship on which Bering sailed was wrecked on the island now called Bering. Here Bering died, and, after winterinf, such of the crew as survived made their way to Kamchatka in the spring under the direction of the famous naturalist, Georg Wilhelm Steller. DISCOVERY OF COMMANDER AND PRIBILOF ISLANDS. This second voyage in 1741, making known the valuable fur resources of the Oommauder Islaiuls, stimulated the fur trade and led to many expeditions among the islands of the Aleutian ciiain in search of other regions inhabited by fur seals. During these voyages the herd of seals now known to resort to the Pribilof Islands were encountered on their migrations through the i)as8es of the Aleutian Islands, and eflbrta were made to ascertain the shore to which they belonged. They were followed to the northward and to the southward for this purpo.se, but without result until, in r'.S, numerous trading companies began to develop their lucrative fur resources. The rivalry and competition which naturally arose nearly resulted in the destruction of the fur-seal herds. To prevent this, the entire fur trade of the Russian colonies passed into the control of a single powerful 23 24 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. organization, t\w Uiiasian-Aiiiericaii Company. This coin])iiiiy Wiis created in the year 17!H), by (le(!ree of the Imperial (joveriiiiient, and was vesterivileffes to trade along the shores of northwestern America, between latitude rt'P north and Bering Strait, ou the Aleutian and Kuril Islands, and tiie islands of the Northeastern or Heriug Sea. ITS ORGANIZATION. The coini)any'8 chief place of business was originally at Irkutsk, but was after- wai'.ls transferred to St. Petersburg. Its shareholders, exclusively Hussians, numbered members of the Imperial family and the high i!obility. For purposes of administration the Imperial (iovernment and the directors of the company jointly appointed a (thief manager, who resided at Sitka, in Alaska, then called New Archangel. The powers of this numager were absolute within the territory over which the company exeicised jurisdiction. Under him were submanagers, overseers, and other agents, h'eports of the (company's affairs were required to be submitted to the Imperial Government. Under its charter the Kussian-American Company paid wo royalty or rental to the (Iovernment, but as its trade consisted chieHy in the exchange of furs for teas on the Chinese frontier, the (Iovernment received indirectly large sums through the resulting duties. THE UKASE OF 1821. On the 4th of September, 1821, the Emperor Alexander I issued an edict known as the ukase of 1821, which provided for a set of rules and regulations controlling the boundaiies of navigation and trade on the coasts and waters over which the Itussian- American Company exercised jurisdiction. These regulations provided for the prohibition of all foreign vessels from landing on or approaching within 100 Italian miles of the coasts and islands belonging to Russia.* Shortly after the issuance of this decree the Emperor renewed for an additional term of twenty years the charter of riglits and privileges of the Russian American Company. The ukase of 1821 involved Russia in a controversy, on the one hand with the United States and on the other hand with Great Britain, which resulted in the treaties ot 1824 and 1825, the former between the United States and Russia aud the latter between Great Britain and Russia. These treaties left undisturbed the right of stiict control claimed by Russia "over all interior waters and over all waters inclosed by Russian territory, such !'3 the Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea or the Sea of Kamchatka, as well as all gulfs, bays, and estuaries."! THE SECOND AND THIRD CHARTERS. The second charter of the Russian-American Company was revised in 182(t to conform to the treaties of 1824-2") and its provisions recontiriiu'd. In 1842 it was again renewed for a period of twenty years, with all its exclusive franchises and privdeges. This third charter expired in 18G2 aud was not renewed. The con)pany, lu .ever, continued to operate under it, pending a decision of the (juestion of reiunval. lUit before a decision was reached the territory of Alaska was transferred to the United States by the treaty of 1867. * Ai)]U'ii(lix to oftsn of I'. 8., Fur Seal Arb., j). l(i (V. t AppeuiUx to eiwe of l'. S., Fur Sual Arb., Letter No. 10, p. 03. HISTORY OF THE VVU SHAL ISLANDS. 25 THE COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT. .\t once upon assuiniiig foutrol of the Lslaiids the Kiissiaii AiMcricaii Coiiuiaiiy put a .stop to tiic ruthless shiughter whicli tlireatened tlie fur seal herds witli destruc- tion. Tliey, however, attempted to liuiit the extent ratlier tliaii to reform the charac- ter of the shiughter. They still continued to kill males and females alike. The injury to the herd naturally continued, and in lSO(i and 1807 ir was found uecressary to suspend killing in order to give the herd an opportunity to recuperate. In 18(»H killing was resumed, but still without proper regard for the conditions of seal life.* INJURIOUS METHODS. (Iradually, however, the habits and interests of the herd began to be better known and cared for. In IS'M, Vanovskj', an agent of the Im])erial (Jovernment, after an insi)ection of the fur seal rookeries, called attention to the practice of killing the young animals, leaving . .''•S. t A|>|U!ii(lix to case of IT. S., Fur Seal Arb., Letter No. 2U, p. 87. The dire reHiilts here predicted seem not i,«; ! of U. 8., Fur Seal Arb., Letter No. 23, p. 82. II Appendix to ease of U. S., Fur Senl Arb., Litter No. 21, p. 82. 26 THE PUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOP ISLANDS. THE HERD AT THE CLOSE OF RUSSIAN CONTROL. Under tliese {fnulually perfected inethod.s of operation the lierd seems to have prospered and increased so that in the year 1804, as we learn from the instructions* to the agents of the Itussian American Company on the ishinds it was considered possible to take annually 70,000 seals on St. Paul Island alone. The number for St. George Island is not given. This in brief is the condition of the fur-seal herd as it came into the possessioiUof the United States. In definite facts and data there is but little; but it may be taken for granted in the light of subsequent events that the herd was in a condition of normal increase, THE INTERREGNUM. The year 18(38, or the season following the transfer of Alaska from Russian to American control, is generally known as the "interregnun>." It was impossible immediately to provide an administrative system for the Territory, and a period of lawlessness reigned on the islands. The state of affairs is thus described by Prof. William H. I)all,t who visited the islands aying them so mucli per skin for their labor in taking them. Despite the very bitter and more or less uuscrupnlons competition among the various parties, all recognized the importance of preserving the industry and protecting the breeding grounds from molestation, and for the most part were guided by this conviction. THE NUMBER OF SEALS KILLED. During this year a very great number of seals were killed on the islands. Estimates vary, but it is evident that the number amounted to not far from 300,000. As this subject has been freciuently referred to and strenuous ettbrts made to connect the heavy killing of this year with the subsequent decline of the herd, we feel Justified in (juoting here at length the statement of Mr. Osborne Howes, now editor of the Boston Uerald, who spent the summer of 1808 on St. (leorge Island as agent of one of the companies. He says: MR. HOWESS NOTES. I left Sun Francisco early in March on board a schooner cleared by Messrs. Parrott & Co., of that city, for a trading voyage in Muring Sea and the coast of Kamchatka. Our schooner put into Hitka on the way up and took on board a number of natives, sailing from Sitka to the Sliumagiu Islands and thence into Hering Sea. It was the first vessel to reach the island, arriving at St. Oeorge in the latter part of April. I was landed with the goods, and the schooner continued her voyage toward the coast of Kamchatka. I immediately secured possession of the salt house and the services of the natives for the season. •Appendix to case of U. 8., Fur Seal Arb., Letter No. ,31, p. 89. t Fur Seal Arb., vol. 2, p. 132. METHODS OF TAKING FUR SEALS. 27 i THE TRADING COMPANIES In a few days a schooner ropreHcntin>i tlie firm of Hutchinson, Kohl & Co. also landed repre- sontativi's on St. Goorj^o Island. Not lou;; after tlir arrival of this second schooner a third, in the interest of the firm of Williams & Haven, landed men on the opposite side of the island, at /.apadni rookery. This lirm had headi|Uarters on St. I'aul Island. It was inipossilde for these separate interests to carry on their operations independently, and tliey therefore placed their bnsiness nnder my charge. Drives wore inude alternately for the different companies and the natives employed in turn. Hefore the season was well under way a fourth expedition was landed on the south side of the island across the point from Kast rookery. There were three men in the party, and they sot aliout killing the seals on the rookery without driving them. The natives objected to this because it inv(dve(l the killing of females. The men were remonstrated with, but -were obdurate. One was brilied olf l)y the promise of double wages, but the other two continued their work. They wore linally taken prisoners and sent otf to Sitka by the lirst schooner that touched at the island. With them were returned the men brought from Sitka, who were found to be unsuited for the work. When the cajitain of tlu' schooner whose men wore interfered >.ith arrived in the fall for his cargo of skins he was pacified by being allowed to take the results of one big drive made by the natives for his bouefit- THE WORK OF SEALING. Tho work of sealing was carried out by the natives under the direction of their chief. Repre- sentatives of tho different companies did not c and 1870 had been anticipated to large extent in the year 1808. This mucili, however, remains certain, that the absence of large killings in 1809 and 1870 removed any jjossible injury which might have resulted to the herd from the too close killing of bachelors in 1808, and the fact that for fifteen years subsequent to 1870, 100,000 and more males were to be obtained on the hauling grounds of the islands shows conclusively that not only were the breeding females not disturbed in 1808, but furthermore that the supply of male life was not so reduced as in any way to affect the life of the herd. AMERICAN MANAGEMENT. In the spring of 1809 Dr. II. 11. Mclntyre, the representai /e of the United States (lovernnient, landed upon the island, establishing the authority of the Governnjent, and taking the necessary steps lor the protection of the rookeries. The period of lawlessness which marked the season of 1808 was thus terminated in 1809 by Dr. Afclntyre. He was aitpointcd in 1808 and endeavored to reach his destination in the fall of that year, but on account of the lateness of the season he was forced to winter at Sitka. THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY. In the meantime the (rovernment had under consideration the most advantageous method of managing its fur seal industry. After a thorough consideration of all recommendations and suggestions bearing upon the matter, it was decided to lease the islands to a single reliable company under the immediate supervision and control of agents of the Treasury I)e})artnient, duly commissioned for that purpose. In accordance with this decision in July, 1870, Congress passed an act authorizing this course of procedure, and immediately afterwards the Secretary of the Treasury advertised for bids for the lease of the seal fisheries for a period of twenty years. Of the numerous offers received from various companies and associations, that of the Alaska Commercial Company, with a capital of $2,000,000, was accejited as the one most likely to promote the "interests of the Government, the native inhabitants, the parties heretofore engaged in the trade, and the protection of the seal llsheries." Appemli.K t(i Case of U. S., Fur Seal Arb., Letter \o. 23, p. 82. LEASES OK THE FUIt SEAL ISLANDS. 21) THE FIRST LEASE. Under llie terms of tlii.s lease tlie compiuiy were f-iveii tlie riglit to take 1(K),(HM) male seals over «me year of age duriiiff tlie months (»f June, .luly, September, and October of each year. In 1874, by act of Congress, the number of seals to be taken and the time of sealinj;' was made subje(;t to the control of ollicers of the Treasnry l)ei)artment, and killing after August 1 was linuted to the necessities of the food supply of the natives. The use of tirearnis or of other methods of killing, tending to diive the seals away, was prohibited, as was also the killing of the aninuilK in the water. In (ionsideration for the skins so taken the lessees agreed to pay to the Treasury of the United States an annual rental of $")5,()00 lor the islands, and a revenue tax of $2.G2jl on each skin taken and shii)ped by them. In addition they were to furnish free of charge to the inhabitants of the islands each year '2'»,(H){) dried salmon, 60 cords of lirewood, and a snilicient quantity of salt and preserved uu'ats. The company was also to nniintaiu a school on each island for at least eight months of the year, and were forbidden to sell any distilled sjiirits or si)irituous ]i(|uor8. THE NORTH AMERICAN COMMERCIAL COMPANY. Under the provisions of this lease the alfairs of the islands were ionduijted until the close of the season of l.SS'.t, when it exi)ircd. The Treasury Department again advertised for bids and again leased the islands for a term of twenty years to a new company, the North American Commercial Company, their ottV-r having been accepted as most advantageous to the (lovernment. , THE PRESENT LEASE. The new lease differs from the old to the advantage of the Covernment in Iho following points: Tlie rental of the islands is tixed at *()(>,0U0. The tax of each skin is .'!*9.()2A. Eighty tons of coal are furni.shed the natives. The (piantity of salmon, salt, sind other provisions to be furnished can be tixed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The company furnishes free dwellings, churches, physicians, niedicMiies, employnuMit to the natives, and cares for the aged, the widows, and the orjthans. The quota was (ixed at «i(),S7!), when schooners were first introduced to trans|>ort the canoes to tln'ir held of operations and care for them there, that the industry hej^ao to make itself felt on the herd. The rise of pelagic sealing theieafter was rapid, and in 1880 it was extended into Bering Sea. From this time on the killing at sea steadily increased, and as the bulk of the catch was composed ering Sea, in latitude 57"^ north and lonj^itude 170'^ west. They are isolated from other land, the nearest point to the south beinji Unalaska Island, at a distance of 214 miles. Capo Newenham, on the mainland of Alaska, at a distance of 30!> miles, is the nearest point to the eastward, while 8t. Matthew Island, -'20 miles away, is the first land to the northward. The islands are of volcanic origin, and are live in numbei' — St. Paul, St. George, Otter, Walrus, ani miles and an area of 4.'J s(|uare miles. The surface of the island is in the main low. Itocky plateaus alternate with low valleys, son>e of which contain ])ouds of fresh water. One of these covers a space upward of 2 miles in length by half a mile in width, but is very shallow. It is shut in by sand duues, and lies along the narrow neck which Joins the rocky headland called Northeast Point with the main body of the island. In the southeast end of the island is a salt-water lagoon, covering some 100 acres in extent, and connected with the sea by a narrow channel some 75 to 100 feet in width. The average elevation of the upland areas is not more than 150 feet, but a number of cinder cones and volcanic craters rise to varying heights in the interior portion of the island. Bogoslof attains* an elevation of 590 feet, but Rush Hill on the west shore is the highest, 005 feet. A number of shallow bays indent the coast line, bordered by long stretches of sandy beach, behind which are areas of shifting sand dunes; but for the most part the shores are bowlder-strewn and rugged, rising in sheer clifls at the headlands. ST. GEOR(tE ISLAND. St. George lies to the southeast of St. Paul at a distance of about 40 miles, in latitude 50° 36' north and longitude 109° 32' west.* It has a total length of 12 miles and a width of 4.^ miles. The area is about 35.9 square miles, and it has a coast line of 30 miles. The central portion of the island is composed of an elevated ridge containing one peak over 900 feet in height. The general altitude of the island "Latitiulu and lougitudu of tiie villaj;o. 31 32 THE FUR SEALS OK THE I'RIHILOF ISLANDS. IH about thruu times ii.s great as that of iSt. I'aul. Tliu coant line is tor tiiu most part a succossion of Htecp, rocky (jlitt'a, l»reai{iiig at Intervals into sliort stretclies of rocky slope. High Hlutf, on tlie north shore, with an elevation of over 1,000 feet beiut; tiie highest. The ])erpen(licular clift's and crevh-es among the bowlders in the upland portions of the island are the homes of innumerable sea birds. There are practi(;ally n«> sand beaches on the island, and the shore space available for rookery purjwses is limited. By blasting ort' the clitls it might, however, be greatly extended. OTTKK ISLAM). Otter Island is situated on the south of 8t. I'aul Island and about ti nules distant from it. It is said tut be the only island of the group which shows evidence of recent volcanic a<'tion. Itsareais very small, being le.is than llfi acres in extent. Its shores are for the most part inaccessible. At the western end a cinder cone rises in a grassy slope to the luMght of .{OO feet and drops off in a sheer clitf ou the seaward side. At the eastern end is the i)it of a crater, connected by a subterranean i)as8ageway with the shore. On the northern face the surface of the island .slojtes down into a low, rocky beach of limited extent, the only one on the island. WALlirS ISLAND. Walrus Island lies about 7 miles to the east of St. Paul. It is a nariow ledge of lava rock about half a mile in length. It reaches no degree of elevation, and in stormy weather the breakers wash over it. It is the home of countless numbers of sea birds and was formerly freciuented by walru.ses. Sea lions occasionally land there. SlVUn.'H ROCK. Sivutch Hock is a little crescent-.shaped ro«;ky islet about a third of a mile oH'tlie southern shon; of St. I'aul. Its area is insignificant, but the i.sland attains some degree of importance through the presence of a snmll fur-seal rookery, which fills its available space. NO (iOOD HAKItORS. Tliere are no harbors of any kind about the islands of the Pribilof group. The bays are small and very shallow. In calm weather, however, there is anchorage for small vessels at various points. In stormy weather it is impossible to load or unload vessels of any kind with safety. Dangerous reefs are found about both islands, and navigation in their viciuity is subject to many risks. THE CLIMATE. The climate of the Pribilof Islands in summer is damp and chilly. Dense fogs almost constantly envelop them, rain falls freciuently, and the sun is seldom seen. The summer temperature ranges between 40'^ and 4.5'^ F., reaching its highest point in August. During June, .luly, and August but few clear days occur. In September the cold winds sweep away the moisture from the atmosphere and bright days become more numerous. On a clear day the islands are extremely pictures«|ue. Toward the end of October the storms become more violent, and iu November winter begins, the change of season being very rapid. I.IKE (»N THE rUlltlLOF 18hAN')i4. 33 nuriiig tho winter imu'h snow fiillH, but it is swept away l»y llie iii|;ii winds wliicli prevail tiirciKlioiit the season. The winter tcinperiiture ranges IVoni --^ to '_'»} K. Tile waters about the inlands do not freeze, but towaril the end of tiie winter tlie drill ice from tlie north fl' tts down aiul incloses the islands, piling hi^'h upon the Ixsutlies and in the bays > uler the action of the surf. It remains packed about the islands until about the ist uf May, when it gradually disappears under the ap[)roaching (change of season. VKOKTATION. The surface of the elevated portions of both islands is in sunnner elotiied with moss and grasses, in which are surprising numbers of showy wild flowers. Conspic- uous among them are the Iceland poppy, monkshood, species of lupine, betoiiy, chrysanthenuun, seuecio,* saxifrage, harebell, aiul many others. The lower parts of the islands are covered with a soil of black lava saiul, in which tiourishes a coars(>, rank, useless grass — the wihl rye grass (fc7//»J»ads in the spring. About the little poiuls in the interior of the islands sandpipers abound. Phalaropes are luimerous in the summer. Teal and mallard ducks are found in the fall, (leese in limited numbers alight on St. Paul to feed on the berries near north shore. White owls have been found on both islands. ll INHAUITANTS. At the time of the discovery of the Pribilof Islands, in 1786, they were uninhab- ited. In order to obtain laborers to handle the seals, natives were brought over from 15184 3 1. :{i rilK Flit SKAI-S OK TIIK rUIHILOF IHLANDS. tli(* Alt'iitiiiii Isliiiids, and tliu IIi'h^ colony was cstiiblislicd on St. (iiMti-K** l.slanry, so nilloii IVoin this t'a«'t, tiiti nanio meaning "old ^oild" or association. OtiuM- viliaf^tts \v(>n! at'tofwai'ds establiHJiud on this island at Zapadni and at (iardcii ('ove. In tliu coiirst^ of tiniu nii>n woi-u carried in similar nninner to St. I'aiil Island, the Aleutian settlements at (Inalaska and Atka bein^ ebiolly drawn iiiion. The first settlement on St. I'anI was established at tlio foot of the hujio. shallow IMishalke Lake at the northern end of thu island. Later .scttlunicnts were hutatud at INdovina and at Zapadni of St. I'aiil. (JONDrriONS IN ttl^SSlAN DAYS. When, in I71M), the Itnssian-Amorican Coin]>any came into control of the islands, the various settlements on St. Paul were grouped into one at Polovina. Afterwards they were Irarisferred to the present location of the vilhijiji', in order to be near the most advantageous hmdiiii; places, in like nuinner, the villages at (larden (propriation of i!*19,r)0(>. They pay nothing for rent, taxes, or for medical attendance, and during the greater part of the year their meat is free. There are few laboring communities whose peojtle can boast of such generous conditions of su|>port. The original colony of Aleuts transported to the islands numbered, according to Mr. lilliott, l.'iT souls. To these additions were made from time to time. In 1871 Captain Hryant tells us that the i^opulatiou of the two islands numbered •12(» persons, of both seres and all ages. No new accessions have been made lately, and the ])opuhiti(>ii has dwindled to slightly less than 3(M> at the present time. The Aleuts are a gentle and tractable class of jieople. They are courteous in their manners and unusually skillful in their work. They have the usiuil aboriginal weaknesses for rum and the vices of civili/.ation, but as a result of the isolated position of the islands, and the strict control which the (Jovernnient is able, through its oHicers, to exercise over them, the [teoide of St. Paul and St. (ieorgo are a respectable and orderly class. THE GOVEUNMKNT ACKNTS. The interests of the (rovernmcnt on the islands are in charge of agents of the Treasury Department, who sui)ervise the work of the natives, look after their wants, and enforce the authority of the (iovernment. The natives are allowed, in largo measure, nominally to govern themselves. They hsvve a head chief and second chief, who deal directly with the people, and are in turn dealt with by the Government agents. The relations of the people with one another are contr(dle oj- ntiinded bowlders. On these beaches llieir {jrejiarious habits cause the animals to crowd tofjether in dose set masses. The limits of the rookeries are defined by abrupt clill's or headlands, which entofVthe beadu's, by inaccessible cliffs that rise in the rear and by interveninj; santl beaches. They .-.eldom extend far ba(;k from the sea under any condition, as access to the wafer is an essential feature. THE lIAULIN(i (iK(»UM)S. Adjoiniiif; the breediufj grounds and an essential part of each rookery are what ar»' known as the "haulinjj {i;ronnds" of the ba(!helors, freipiented l)y \\'.^ youiif? males of the a^es of") years and under, these classes beinjf strictly excluded from the breed- iiij:; jjrounds. These hauliufj grounds are usually located on sandy beaches bfuiMing t lie breed in, !>• grounds or on the flat "parade" grouiuls above and in the rear of the harems. In most cases the bachelors are forced to encircle the end of the breeding grounds to reach their locations in tlio rear, but in sonu> cases neutral 8trii)s or run- ways are left atmmg the iiarema through which the bachelors haul out unmolested. Not iiilre(iuently the bachelors seek to use runways wliidi are not recognized as luMitral.and they are summarily thrown cut by the harem uiask'rs. This leads to confusion ami figliting among the bulls, and the conse(pu'nt tlestruction of females and young pui)s. In many cases the hauling groumls are at a considerable distance from the breeding grounds, but even where tiu'y are located immediately in the rear of the liarems. a buffer of idle or reserve bulls keeps tlu'in at a safe distance. The young nmles have a wliolesoi.ie and well defined fear of the bulls, which experience ami)ly justifies. In tlie present deplctetl condition of the fur-seal herd much ground once oceui)ied has been abandoiu'd. The tendency of the animals, in obedience to their gregarious instincts, is i) crowd togetiuM". and as their numbers decrease the rookeries shrink u]). With t'lie restoration of the herd these abandoned grounds will und(ml)tedly be reoccujued. It is probable that the occupation of absolutely new ground could only result from an overcrowded condition of t!ie rookeries. Not all the available si)ace on tiie islands was ever occupied even in the time of greatest expansion, as tliere are long stretches of suitable beach line on which seals Imvc never been ki.own to breed. THE ST. I'AIM, KOOKEKIKS. The following is a brief description of the itreeding rookeries of St. Paul Island, beginning at Northwest Point : /. \'i>siri'iit I'lir s.'al rnoUerii's liavc for tlic most ,);iit iflttiiied tlu-iv ])ictiiresi|iu' I{iis,si.aii iiiiir..'s. It is vrry ilcsiiiilili' th;it they dlioiilcl coiiHimi' ti> «li> so, iiiiil it woiilil bo ii)i|)roiiriiilt' if Uiissiiiii oi|uiva- Iciits wore siilistitiitod for tli«! lew I'.Uitiish iiiimos wliicli liavi" coiiin into use. In tlic Npcllinj; o( tfio Hiissiiin naiui'8 ^^t■ Iiavo followed tin; prosont avceptrd muthods of trutulitcrivtioii midiT tlio advice of 1. rirK UOOKEUIF.S OF ST. I'Al'L. 37 jjreiil sand bcadi known ns "Xortli Slioro," to tlio. tip of tlic point itself. It occnpios for tilt' most jiart IkmicIuw of coarse, howlders, witii occasional ontcro|>pinj;s of liiirciiis on tlic tiat jjjmund above. The lino of liarenis is freipiently broken by short siretclms of sand lieai'li, wiiicli are used by the baciielors as runways to reacii (heir haidinf^ urouiids. On the seaward slope of Mutch 'ison Hill, whieli forms the hif^hesl part of the jjcninsula, the rookery becomes greatly widened and closely massed. Late in the seasjori (of the. imlnis). — The line of division between this and the preceding rookery is a purely arbitrary one. At the point there is a (!oiisiderable break in the line of harems and behind is a small hauling ground. The harems resume and follow along the bowlder beach as before for a short distance. Tlien a break occuis, with a runway for the bachelors and another sea-lion rookery. Heyond this is the juintipal ]>orti(m of the rookery. It consists of a large body of harems closely nnissed and lying back on the Hat at the angle of the sand beach at VValins, Hight. ISehind and to the west of this mass is the great hauling ground of Morjovi rookery. Beyond the sand beach scattering groups of harems occur on tlie sides of a long, narrow, tongue of land Jut ting. 'Ut to (he eastward, called Sea Lion Neck. Another sand beach intervenes, and the rookery ends in a considerable mass of harems gr(iui)cd about a rocky point nearly opposite Webster Lake, on the eastern side of tint peninsula. An nnimportaiit hauling gnmnd lies at the extreme cud of the rookery. Vostoclini and Moijovi combined furnish the greatest continuous I'l leal rookery on the two islands. Along their .'! miles of coast line are upward of l(H),(t(l(( fur seals of all classes, about onelburth of the total number on the I'ribilof Islands, h'rom the summit of Hutchinson Hill a bird's eye view of the two rookeries can be had, and the sight is a most impressive one. A greater number of fur seals (or tor that matter any other animals) is to be seen here than for any other ]toiiit in the world. .7. I'olorina (hdlfwinf). — This rookery, as its name indicates, is located halfway between Northeast Point and the village. The main part of the rookeiy lies massed upon the beach and the Hat above the elitVs that rise fnuu the h»w re«'f of I'olovina I'oint and shade down with a gentle slope to the great sand beachwhii'h stret(;lies away - miles i>r iiKne to Stony Point. At tlm aisgle (if the sand beach the bachelors make their way to the hauling ground in the rear of the massed portion of the rookery. It i'oiii)iotuiit UuhHi:iii scliolar, Mr. Aliv's \. KmIijiio. lilinirlaii ol' Mii< I'liiviTHity .'iilni anil Siiiitliwost May, Foloviiia and llalt'vvay I'liiiit. Wo liavo in oarli caso trii d to Nidurt llru nioHt Hiiilaldc naiiio lor llio piirposc, nnd it is In Im> liopi'd Unit in Mie l'iit.iu'o afjontcandolhorsroiicoriiod will cunform totlio iisiini' lirro ailoplcd. \Vr liavo {fivrn a Hcparato liaiiio ti^ onidi of tlio llirro parts of what Inm beiMi {{I'ln-rally kiinwii as /.apailni. 'I'lio grual ;'(ioUcry lyins; alioul tin' Hhorrs of N'ortlicast I'oint has Immmi dividi-d lor roiivriiiciMi' at tin- lip of tin- point. It has lioen tlimiglil licst. hiiciiimr cliff' shades off" in a gradual slope to the sand beach, whicii continues to the northward as far as Northeast Point. On this northern rocky slope of tlie clitt' is situated the small but picturesque rookery of Little Polovina, in reality an overflow of tiie greater rookery. The Polovina rookeries have a population of about 2(»,0()(> seals of all classes. ■J. LuhtmH [name of an eayly seal hunter). — From Stony Point to the southward is the great sand beacli of Lukanin. At its end rises the rocky slope of Lukanin Hill, alon<^ viUich the rookery of the same name lies. At the northern end is the hauling ground of the rookery. It is a favorite resort for the very young bachelors, a greater jn'oportion being found here than on any other rookery. Part of the breeding ground lies at the foot of clitts, which are easy of approach, and as the rookery is near to the village it has been made the subject of (;lose study by numerous observers. 5. Kitov'i [ofihe whale), — This rookery is merely a continuation of Lukanin, from which it is sep.arated by the purely arbitrary boundary of Lukanin Point. The rookery lies along bold rocks, basaltic columns, and slopes of cinder and lava. I* is an ideal rookery ground, as the slight mortality of pupn indicates, only about 10!) dead pups being found in 18% in a total of 0,049. The hauling ground of this rookery is unimportant, probably because the bachelors haul out with those from iiUkanin. The few which haul out at Kitovi proper are Ibund at the southern end of the rookery, back of Kitovi 15ay. Kitovi and Lukanin are in reality one great rookery. They repiesent a total population of about 2."),000 seals. II. h'erf ( Russian, rifovoye). — At tiie southern end of St. Paul Island another long narrow neck of land Juts out, known as Kecf peninsula. On the southern shore of this ]>eninsula is the great breeding ground known as lieef rookery. The harems lie along the irregular beach for a distance of nearly a mile, in the <'entral portion the seals extend back in long, wedge shaped masses for a ( onsiderable distance over the gentle slope strewn with large bowlders. In the rear of tiie central portion of this rookery is the great hauling ground, which lies in a hollow between two rocky ridges. Connecting this hauling ground with the sea are four runways, whicli divide the rookery into iive large masses. In two of I! 'se runways occur ponds of water, which All by the surf in the winter and become r :il< cribably foul in summer, as the bachelors wallow through them. Keef rookery is one of the hugest on the islands. It is separated from its fellow ^♦lorbatch) on the other side of the peninsula by a broad Hat upland, known as the "liarade gnnind." This parade ground occupies the highest part of the jieninsula. It extends back from the perpendicular dirt's at the westward end in a long easy slojie to the eastward, where it falls to the water's edge at the beginning of the rookery. This space was a favorite playground for the bachelors of the two rookeries in the jialmy days, and the wandering bands of seals kept its surface bare. A few bachelors still haul across it, but for the uu)st i)art it is to-day overgrown with grass anil weeds. 7. Siruteli (sea lion) Rovk, — About a third of a mile off' siiore from lieef rookery i8 u small crescent-sh»j)ed rocky islet. Its southern side is au abrupt cliff, but to the 1 THE ROOKERIES OV ST. PAUL. 3!> north it .slopes back {gradually to the water. IMiis iio;therii slope and such other points on its surface as are accessible, are occupied by a small rookory ot thieeor four thousand seals. At either end of the islet is a hauling- ground. On ihe southernmost one the returning bachelors are said to haul out first in the spring. 8ix miles farther off to the south lies the larger islet called Otter island. T!:i.s is not a rookery proper, but contains a hauling ground, and is resorted to by bachelors, ])r()bably from the rookeries of Reef peninsula. A few seals still haul there, and (luring the season of 18!)G a single liaren) of live cows with their pups was found among them. This is the first record of breeding seals having occupied Otter Island. ><<> trace of the harem was found during the season of 18!t7. The hauling ground, which lies on the northern face of the island, is one of considerable extent, and in former times a large number of seals evidently occupied it. About -00 were found there at the time of our visit in 18()(!, and upward of a thousand in 1S'J7. 8. Ardit/iirn (piic of .stones), — On the western edge of Jieef peniusida, and just north of the ultimate point, is an isolated cioncave rocky slope and beach overlooked by high i)anii>et-lik(' clitt's, above the genenil level of Ueef rookery, to the sniface of which the breeding ground ascends at one point in a "slide." The rocky beach, the slide, and, in 189(», a part of the flat above were filled with harems. Other harems extended along the narrow beach at the foot of the clitt', which everywhere rises sheer from the western end of the peninsula. The wall-like rocks above the slide portion of th(^ rookery make it possible to watch the seals at close range without disturbing them, "^t is the best point on the island for the observation of rookery life. Almost daily obscrvatiiMis. a record of which will be found in the Daily .Journal (I 'art 11), were made upon it during the summer of 180G, and on this account it has been given a separate name. It has heretofore been included in lieef rookery. .9. (htrbtitvh {the Inimi)), — This picturesque rookery lies on the north shore of Reef peninsula and faces Zoltoi Hay. The steep cliffs on the western end, iit (lorhatch Point, break down in a long cinder sh)pe, which rises rather steeply from the shingle beach to the parade ground above. Along the bowlder beach and the foot of the slope the harems lie close together, extending back at one or two points in wedge-shaped masses. On the flat rocks at the point nnirking the beginning of the bay is a favorite sleeping place for a few sea lions, and near by is an isolated rock (tn which a small group of hair seals are usually to be seen hauled out. To the iu)rthward the cinder slope shades into a slope of smooth rock, and this is succeeded in turn by a slope covered with great irregular bowlders. At the end ay to the great san( 'i at its foot. For a considerable distance the harems lie on the narrow beach i ho foot of steep clift's. About the middle of the rookery the clifts break down in a long concave sloi)e strewn with angular bowlders. Hack of this are sand dunes, and the wash from them has produced at the loot of the slope a broad sand flat, just above the bowlder beach. This sand tract of Tolstoi has a denser population than is to be found on any other rookery groui\d on the island. In the height of the season the crowded area is the scene of constant ligntiug among the bulls because of the crowding of the harems. The breeding mass extends i)art way up the slope, and in the latt-r pf;it of the season the seals move back from the sandy Hat, leaving it bare. At the back of the slope among the sand dunes is a hauling ground for the bachelors. To reach it they must encircle the end of the rookery. A more important hauling ground is situated on the sand <»f Knglish Day, just beyond the rookery. Halfway along the curve of the bay is another hauling ground, known as Middle Hill, which is removed from any rookery ami is i)robably more or less common to all the breeding gr<»unds about English liay. On the whole Tolstoi is the most interesting of the rookeries, and oilers the greatest diversity of conditions of life. It is also famous for the great mortajity among the young pups born there. The view of the rookery from the sand dunes to the eastward is exceedingly i)icturesque. 13. Zapiithii (ii'csterhi). — This rookery, begins at the rocky cliffs of Zapadni headland ami extemls along the convex shore to the sand beach of Southwest ]>ay. It occupies the usual bowlder beach and extends back along the gradually sloping upland. The seals are in many jdaces massed in shallow depressions and gullies which seam the rocky slo|»e. in these places, as on the sand Hat of Tolstoi, many pups are killed. At dili'ureiit places in the course of the rookery are runways through which the bachelors haul out to their grounds in the rear. The principal hauling grouiul, however, is it the angle of the rookery with the sand beach of Southwest Bay. 11. Little Zapailii, — The sainl beiMih of Southwest Bay intervenes between this rookery and Zapadni proper. It occupies a similar but smaller convex beach and t I i ^ 'I'HK KOOKEBIES OF ST. GEORGE. 41 liillslopc toward tlic east. The siuftice of this little rookery is iiigs:e(l iind broken in the extreme, iiiiikiiiy it iiii iileal breeding yrouiid. At its (^astern end is tiie single liiiuling ground, readied through tiie open space that lies between this and the narrow breeding ground which occupies the reef beyond. 15. Z(ipiit tlit: incliiiloB tlie sanw, forms. uaiiio