ARCTIC ZOOLOGY. 115 



exhibiting a fascia of blood-vessels of a calibre and abund- 

 ance that would appear fully sufficient to supply the ex- 

 traordinary heat above noticed. 



What may be the functions of the lungs under such 

 circumstances, whether different, in increase or diminution 

 of action, from those of quadrupeds constantly living in 

 the medium of atmospheric air, is difficult to determine. 

 Whales, as well as seals, sleep in such situations as afford 

 a constant supply of air ; the former on ice or rocks, and 

 the latter at the surface of the sea. A circumstance, how- 

 ever, which I beg leave to mention, with an expression of 

 little doubt as to the accuracy of the account, would ap- 

 pear to place in considerable difficulty an attempt at ex- 

 plaining the true action of the pulmonary organ in those 

 animals when in a state of rest. I have been assured by 

 a respectable master of a Davis's Strait' whaler, that some 

 few years since a native paddled alongside, making 

 anxious expression of useful information which he had to 

 communicate. It was, that he and his companions had, 

 during three days, previously observed a large whale sleep- 

 ing at the bottom in a neighbouring creek. On sending; 

 some boats to the spot, and splicing together some oars, 

 by this means sending down a harpoon, the animal was 

 struck, and subsequently taken. In such case, does the 

 action of the lungs remain suspended ? or does the arterial 

 circulation proceed so as to supply sufficient vitality ? 



Q 3 



