148 WHALE-FISHERY. 



though more rarely, it continues throughout the 

 greater part of it. Few small fish are seen at this 

 season. The large whales, when plentiful, are 

 found occasionally in every intermediate situation, 

 between the open sea and the main ice, in one di- 

 rection, and between the latitudes of 75° and 79° in 

 the other, but rarely as far north as 80°. 



The parallel of 78 to 78 f degrees, is, on the 

 whole, the most productive fishing station. The 

 interval between this parallel and 80°, or any other 

 situation more remote, is called the " northward/' 

 and any situation in a lower latitude than 78°, is 

 called the " southward." 



Though the 79th degree affords whales in the 

 greatest abundance, yet the 76th degree affords 

 them, perhaps, more generally. In this latter situa- 

 tion, a very large kind of the mysticetus is com- 

 monly to be found throughout the season, from 

 April to July inclusive. Their number, however, 

 is not often great; and as the situation in which 

 they occur is unsheltered, and, consequently, ex- 

 posed to heavy swells, the southern fishery is not 

 much frequented. 



The parallel of 77° to 77l°> is considered a 

 u dead latitude," by the fishers, but occasionally 

 it affords whales also. 



From an attentive observation of facts, it would 

 appear, that different tribes of the mysticetus in- 

 habit different regions, and pursue different routes 

 on their removal from the places where first seen. 



