WHALE-FISHERY. 151 



within so much of its confines as may be broken by 

 the violence of the sea in storms. After the disso- 

 lution of the continuity of the ice, by north, north- 

 west, or west winds, they find sufficient convenience 

 for respiration in the interior, and often retreat 

 thither to the great disadvantage of the whalers. In 

 such cases, if the formation of bay ice, or the con- 

 tinuity of the border of the heavy ice, prevents 

 the ships from following, the whales completely es- 

 cape their enemies, until the relaxation of the frost 

 permits an entrance. 



It is not uncommon, however, for an adult tribe of 

 whales, to resort partially to the open sea, between 

 the latitudes of 76° and 79°, during the months of 

 May and June, and, though more rarely, during the 

 early part of July, when, at length, they suddenly 

 betake themselves to the ice, and disappear alto- 

 gether. 



The systematical movements of the whales re- 

 ceive additional illustration from many well known 

 facts. Sometimes a large tribe, passing from one place 

 to another, which, under such circumstances, is de- 

 nominated a u run of fish," has been traced in its 

 movements in a direct line from the south towards 

 the north, along the seaward edge of the western 

 ice, through a space of two or three degrees of lati- 

 tude; then it has been ascertained to have entered 

 the ice, and penetrated to the north-westward, be- 

 yond the reach of the fishers. In certain years, it 

 is curious to observe, that the whales commence a 



