WHALES. LANDED AT SCOTTISH WHALING STATIONS 223 



the Sperm. The diagram shows the percentage proportions, 

 for each month, of the total catch. We see that the curve 

 for each species shows a high maximum, that is to say 

 (apparently) for each species a definite and short season of 

 comparative abundance ; (2) that the curves for the Nord- 

 caper, Sei, and Bottlenose (after making due allowance for 



April 



May 



June 



1 



July 



Aug. 



Sept. 



Nord Caper 



FlG. 2. Seasonal Distribution of Sperm, Nordcaper, Sei, and Bottlenose 

 Whales, in the Scottish Whale-Fishery, 190S-1914. 



the irregularity of this last, owing to the small numbers 

 caught) resemble one another closely and indicate an 

 identical period of maximal abundance ; (3) that the 

 apparent maximum of the Sperm-whale is just two months 

 later than the others. But we also notice (4) that the curve 

 for the Sperm-whale drops abruptly to nil from its maximal 

 point, and we are left in doubt (so far as the curve goes) 

 whether this indicates a sudden exodus of the Sperms from 

 our waters or an equally abrupt cessation of the fishery. [ 



