WHALE-FISHERY. 149 



These tribes seem to be distinguished by a difference 

 of age or manners, and in some instances, apparent- 

 ly by a difference of species, or sub-species. . The 

 whales seen in the spring in the latitude of 80°, 

 which are usually full grown animals, disappear 

 generally by the end of April; and the place of their 

 retreat is unknown. Those inhabiting the regions 

 of 78°, are of a mixed size. Such as resort to fields 

 in May and the beginning of June, are generally 

 young animals; and those seen in the latitude of 

 76°, are almost always of the very largest kind. 

 Instances are remembered by some aged captains, 

 wherein a number have been taken in the southward 

 fishing stations, which were astonishingly produc- 

 tive of oil. It is probable, that the difference in 

 the appearance of the heads, or the difference of 

 proportion existing between the heads and bodies 

 of some mysticete, are distinguishable of a differ- 

 ence in the species, or sub-species. Those inhabit- 

 ing southern latitudes, have commonly long heads 

 and bodies, compared with their circumference, 

 moderately thick blubber and long whalebone; those 

 of the mean fishing latitude, that is 78° — 79°, have 

 more commonly short broad heads, compared with 

 the size of the body. In some individuals, the 

 head is at least one-third of the whole length of the 

 animal, but in others scarcely two- sevenths. Hence, 

 it is exceedingly probable, that the whales seen 

 early in April, in the latitude of 80°, are a peculiar 

 tribe> which do not re-appear during the remainder 



