Excerpt from History of North American Pinnipeds: A Monograph of the Walruses, Sea-Lions, Sea-Bears and Seals of North AmericaIn regard to the need of a work like the present, it may be stated that with the exception of Dr. Theodore Gill's important Prodrome of a proposed monograph of North American Pinnipeds, published in 1866, there has been no general treat ment of the species since the excellent compilations of Drs. Harlan and Godman appeared, now more than half a century ago. Respecting foreign works, nothing has been recently published covering the ground here taken beyond a very gen eral synopsis of the technical phases of the subject. The best accounts of the species oceurring along the shores of Europe are in other languages than English, while no general history of the economic relations of the subject exists. In relation to the important Fur Seal Fisheries of Alaska, the author has been able to present in extenso the results of Captain Charles Bryantfs long experience at the Fur Seal Islands, where for nearly ten years he was the government agent in charge of the islands. Although not received until the article on this species had been transmitted to the printer, it proves to be, to only a small degree, a repetition of the account given by Mr. Elliott, also reproduced at length. The history Captain Bryant gives of the changes in the numbers and relations of the different classes of these animals at the rookeries, under the present system of management of the Fur Seal business, forms a valu able basis for generalization in regard to the future regulation of this industry, and is also an important contribution to the life-history of the species.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.