THE ORDER CETACEA. 59 



a.m. they finished flensing the last whale ; the morning 

 was most remarkably cold, with heavy showers of snow, 

 fresh breezes at the first part of the day ; the decks were 

 cleaned, and the watch set. At four a. m. a whale was 

 seen running to windward ; two boats lowered away 

 after her, when accidentally John James's boat capsized 

 on a piece of ice ; he hoisted a signal of distress, when 

 two boats were sent off to his assistance, and he was 

 brought off without any injury having been sustained 

 either by the boat or crew. At six p. m. saw one whale, 

 and lowered away two boats after her; at eight p. m. 

 boats returned without success. The whalebone of the 

 last two whales measured as follows : viz. the first, four 

 feet two inches ; the second, five feet four inches." 



" No Observation taken. 



" Saturday, May 15. North. — At two a. m. Mr. 

 John Larnders struck the fifth whale ; at three she was 

 killed, and in half an hour she was towed alongside ; at 

 ten minutes past four they began flensing her, and at 

 five a. m. they finished. At two p. m. saw one whale, 

 but the wind blowing very strong from the North, con- 

 sequently prevented any boats being lowered after her ; 

 this last whale was one foot less than the third. During 

 the latter part very heavy gales set in, so that it was im- 

 possible to lower the boats ; wind shifting to the N.N.E., 

 we were compelled to ply under close-reefed topsails 

 among heavy loose ice. The gales continued extremely 

 strong for the next twenty-four hours ; numerous whales 

 in sight." 



" Latitude by Observation, 

 78° 52' N. 



" Monday, May 24. Wind, N. N. E.— The first 

 part fresh breezes, with very foggy weather; at six a. m. 

 John James struck the sixth whale, which, after giving 

 the crew a tiresome chase over ice as well as water, was 



