Note 7 — PINNIPEDIA.

Great diversity of opinion, however, exists upon this point, the Dundee sealers considering that the fishery should open a few days earlier, and that a time should be fixed for its closing, in order that too great a number of the old Seals may not be shot. The young Seals grow with great rapidity, and even a few hours make a marked difference in their condition; it seems, therefore, of the greatest importance that a time should be fixed for the opening of the fishery, which will ensure the young animals being in as forward a condition as possible, and that the nursing mother should be spared. It is said, also, that, in consequence of the number of females killed while nursing, the old dog Seals are vastly more numerous than the females, and that positive good is accomplished by some of them being killed off. One opinion, however, seems universal, which is, that not much good has resulted, at present, from the close time.