Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-13
MODELS OF SEALS FOR THE FAIR.
Interesting Pinnipesis in Papier Macbe TO
the Chicago Exposition.

the Chicago Exposition.
4 MOST INTERESTING EXHIBIT Is BE-
= n ing prepared for the worlds fair at Chi
cago by the Smithsonian Institution in the
shape Of models in papier mache representing
the fur seal and walrus fisheries on the Alaskan
coast. The animals to be represented, as well
as the men who obtain from them a livelihood,
are being nodded in clay preliminarily. For
example, one Of the pieces, showing a seal
''drive," includes hundreds of small mimic
beasts, which Aleuts are driving along to the
killing ground by waving cloths and shouting.
Another illustrates .'rookery," on which the
full-grOwn seals, believing and pugna cious
have ''hauled up out of the surf upon the
islands to breed. Each bull has several
mates, those which have been able to maintain
by force OF combat their superior powers occu-
pying the water line and possessing the great
est number of wives, while the others. inferior
in strength. are higher up on the beach with
such females as they are able to secure for
themselves.
Happily for them these grown male seals, DO
lygamous TO an extent only limited by physical
force. are not the chosen victims of the licensed
fnr hunters, although when they approach the
islands the schooner pirates shoot them and
their mates without mercy in the water, satis-
ned II they secure one skin for every ten animals
destroyed. The bachelor seals are the ones
slaughtered by authority. They, being unable
TO sustain the conflict for the females, haul out
on other parts of the shore than those occupied
by the breeders, and are driven by thousands
to the killing place for slaughter. From the
FUR seals point OF view II Is disadvantage to
be unmarried. But for one Of the animals not
fully grown to attempt landing on the breed
ing shore would be absurd, inusmuch as he
could not possibly survive the battles he would
be called upon to engage In. Thus II happens
that until they are six or seven years old the
m max M MT at
One Of the models viii show a hauling ground
of bachelor seals.
Another will represent killing Of seals when
they have been driven to the place set apart
Tor that purpose, the Aieuts smashing their
heads with clubs. Ii seems q cruel business
though doubtless the most merciful way so
hunanlike are these animals. They are quite
as intelligent as dogs, it is said. and in point of
gentleness and affection for man they resemble
the canine friends of the human race
There will also be shown in the exhibit a
group Of hair seals, which are not useful for
their fur, but merely for food supply to the
natives IN that region. In addition win be dis
played gathering Of walruses In their native
habitat-those enormous beasts which naust be
considered interesting if only b. reason of the
TACT that they are doomed to become soon ex-
tlnct- They are so valuable to man that he
must needs destroy them utterly, their skins
serving him for boats, their fat for oil, their
ne.h for food and even their whiskers for
opium pipe picks, at penny each.
All these animals are being modelled in clay
by Mr.. Henry Elliott the only artist who has
ever drawn and painted the seal and the walrus
In their native haun.s. Probably he is the only
naturalist who has Investigated the walrus in
Its natural state Under other conditions this
extraordinary creature cannot be viewed salts
factoriiy from the point Of view of science in
asmnoh as II dies almost Immediately Of con-
sumption upon being captured and brought
south Many hundreds Of pinnipe,ls must be
made IN clay Tor completing this exhibit, and
when they are all done they will be cast in pa
pier maehe and arranged upon pedcstas some
eight feet by three and others four feet by two.
Tor the purpose Of conveying to the minds Of
the millions Of people who visit the worlds fair
some notion OF the seal aud walrus isheries
concerning which they have read so much 10
the newspapers.
Mrs Younglove-''I don't like to have Aleer.
non call me Birdie"
Miss Waite-"why not? I think il q dove al
q name"
Mrs. Youngiove-"So did till he explained
that 1t was because always brought BILL
N. 4. Herald
A Realistic Eomancs.--Mrs Chromolit--ssNv
dear professor, pray tell us what in your
opinion constitutes the difference bstveeu
romance and realism. Prof. Fresx-.sRomauce
my dear madam, makes Us wish ne were What
We are not ard realism nakss us disgusted
with What ~ sgs."-Puck. -