38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



The Bowhead, compared with the other species of ■whales that are pitrsued, 

 is considered very shy and timid. 



After the ice leaves the bays, until the fall winds begin, much calm weather 

 is experienced ; and, although we have frequently seen large numbers of whale 

 spouting among a large number of boats scattered over the water, not a single 

 animal could be approached near enough to dart at with the hand harpoon, or 

 to present a fair chance to shoot a bomb lance into it, notwithstanding the 

 boats were rigged with extra large sails in order to take advantage of the light 

 airs or winds that may prevail in midsummer. The use of oars or paddles 

 would be quite sure to frighten the whales, and when there is not sufiicient 

 wind to sail on to them there is but little or no chance of getting fast. After the 

 ?>ons are firmly planted in the animal, or, as we frequently hear whalemen say, 

 after the ichale has tjeen fastened to, good and solid, down the creature ^lay go on 

 to the bottom, and there rolls till either the irons are torn from its body or the 

 line is wound about it, and the valuable prize may be lost. 



The breeding places of the Bowheads seems to be a matter of- conjecture 

 among the most observing and experienced -rfhaling masters. The only place 

 known has already been mentioned, in the vicinity of Tchantar Bay, and a dif- 

 ference of opinion exists as to whether the Poggies before mentioned are calves 

 or whether they are not a scrag species that have a corresponding relation to 

 the full-grown Bowheads that the scrag Right Whale has to the larger grades 

 of that species. Admitting, however, that they are the young^anes, their num- 

 bers are comparatively few to the numerous progeny that is supposed to be 

 brought forth by the cows during each season. Another singular fact is that 

 no Bowhead of the Okhotsk Sea have ever been seen passing in or out the pas- 

 sage of the Kurile Islands, or from the Okhotsk to Behring Sea, or Arctic 

 whales passing to the Okhotsk. According to statements of the most experi- 

 enced whaling captains, a Bowhead with a calf never has been seen by any 

 whalers in the Arctic or Behring Strait, and where this species of cetacean re- 

 sort to bring forth their young, or where the young remain till grown to a con- 

 siderable degree of maturity, is not definitely known. The general opinion, 

 however, is that an open Polar Sea must exist, where they resort, or some other 

 open water not known to whalemen. 



II. The Eight \^hale of the North- West Coast. 

 ? Baljena cullamach Cham. 



Numerous species of whales frequent the coast of California at different 

 seasons of the year, and both deep sea, bay and shore whaling has been prose- 

 cuted for many years. The shore and bay whaling, however, did not begin 

 till about the time that Upper California became a part of U. S. Teiritory, and 

 the shore whaling was not pursued to much extent till 1856. The first shore 

 })arty was established at Monterey, 1852. The varieties of the larger Cetaceans 

 found along the coast are known under the following names: California Gray, 

 Humpback, Finback, Sulphur-bottom, Right Whale, Sperm Whale. The first 

 five mentioned are of the Balasna family, and their natural food is zoophytes, 

 animalcules, "(brit)" mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. 



The Right Whales found on the coast are but few, compared with the num- 

 bers found on what is termed the Kodiak ground; the limits of which maj- be 

 regarded as extending from Vancouver's Island, northward to the Aleutian 

 Chain, and from the coast westward to longitude 150°. The small number 

 frequenting the coast of California are supposed to be only a few stragglers 

 from that region. They have been taken as far south as the Bay of St. Se- 

 bastian Viscaino, and off the north point of Cedros or Cerros Island, both 

 within the parallels of 27° and 29° N. The season of the year when seen was 

 from February to April. This animal is thought to be a distinct species from 

 the southern Right Whale, and is frequently called the North-West Whale, 

 being larger, and in several particular points differing from the former. It has 



[April, 



