Chapter XI

Enormous Slaughter of Seals.-Manner of Killing.-Battles between the Bulls.-A Mythical Island.-The Seal as Food.-The Sea-Otter.-A Rare and Valuable Fur.-The Baby Sea-Otter.-Great Breeding-Place of Birds.-Banks of the Yukon River.-Fur-Bearing Land Animals.-Aggregate Value of the Trade.-Character of the Native Race 159

viiiCHAPTER XII. Climate of Alaska.-Ample Grass for Domestic Cattle.-Winter and Summer Seasons.-The Japanese Current.-Temperature in the Interior.-The Eskimos.-Their Customs.-Their Homes.-These Arctic Regions once Tropical.-The Mississippi of Alaska.-Placer Mines.-The Natives.-Strong Inclination for Intoxicants 173