120 ARCTIC ZOOLOGY. 



westward, towards the shores of North America, males are 

 more frequently seen than in the other places, and always 

 of superior size ; and in the high latitudes in West Green- 

 land, above the Women's Islands, and throughout the wide 

 fiords along the coast to Devil's Thumb and the Linnfean 

 Isles, the largest whales are usually found. The latter 

 seem to be their ne plus ultra ; and of this I shall give sa- 

 tisfactory evidence. 



The continual necessity this creature feels of respiring 

 from the atmosphere drives him constantly to the surface. 

 From his numerous pursuers, the field ice presents occa- 

 sional retreat ; and some of the mile-length bergs afford a 

 similar security. As such retreats always meet the exigencies 

 of the whale from the northward, it becomes habitual for 

 him to move in that direction ; and thither also his partnei- 

 flies for protection of herself and young one, to obtain such 

 concealment as the time requires ; but having reached the 

 places above-mentioned, further flight is impracticable ; the 

 continual presence of ice affording no open water for 

 breathing space, the continent of massy congelation being 

 there unbroken except at its precipitous limits. The whales 

 must in this case either return southward again, or move in 

 an easterly or westerly direction. The purposes for which 

 they have traversed nearly twenty degrees of the northern 

 deep, and encountered the innumerable perils of the way, 

 will not admit of premature return ; and there they remain 



