Fur Seals

Call or hin us ursinus. The Northern Sea Bear is the main source of seal-skins. Its color is nearly black; the female is lighter and the young darker than the male, which is six times larger than the female; it weighs 500 lbs.. and is 7 ft. long at 8 years of age. Formerly abundant to s. California, it is now nearly restricted to the Prybilov Islands. Alaska, along a coast of only 19 m. extent. Early in May the bulls begin to select stations for their seraglios. By the end of May the cows have nearly all arrived and been appropriated, through fierce contests, between the males. The cows are each soon delivered of one pup. By August the bulls begin leaving, and by October the Rookeries are broken up, though some linger till Christmas. The young breed at 3 years. The Alaska Commercial Co. has limited the number taken at Prybilov Islands, but cannot prevent their destruction when traveling away from or to their breeding grounds.