92 Fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 



in 1842," says, "the Coast and Gulf Whale Fishery is now being 

 of much value to Newfoundland." Sir Richard states, that the 

 vessels employed are large schooners, with crews often men each ; 

 that the fishery is pursued during the wlfole of the summer months 

 along the Coast of Labrador, and in, and through, the Straits of 

 Belleisle ; and that Whales of all sizes are taken, from the smallest 

 " finner," up to the largest Mysticetus, or great common Oil Whale 

 of the Northern Ocean, which occasionally visits these regions. 



It is believed that hitherto, no attempt has been made by the 

 people of New Brunswick, to enter into this Whale Fishery ; and 

 it would be a very proper subject for inquiry, whether it might not 

 be profitably conducted by New Brunswick vessels, and the active 

 and enterprising Fishermen of the Bay of Chaleur, who are equally 

 well placed for carrying it on, as their hardy comrades on the 

 Gaspe side of the Bay. 



THE SEAL. 



As the capture of the Seal is always designated " Seal 

 Fishery," and as it is blended with the other pursuits of the Fisher- 

 man, it may be proper to mention it here. 



Five kinds of Seals are said to be found in the Northern Ocean ; 

 they bring forth their youug on the ice early in the Spring, and they 

 float down upon it from the Polar Seas to Labrador, the Coast of 

 Newfoundland, and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The two largest 

 kinds are known as the Harp Seal, (Phoca groenlandica,) and the 

 Hooded Seal, (Phoca leonina). The other three varieties are 

 known as the " Square Flipper," the " Blue Seal," and the " Jar 

 Seal." 



Large herds of these Seals are fouud together upon the fields of 

 floating ice, which, when so occupied, are called " Seal Meadows." 

 The Seal Hunters endeavour to surprise them while sleeping on 

 the ice, and when this occurs they dispatch the young with 

 bludgeons ; the old ones which will frequently turn and make 

 resistance, they are obliged to shoot. 



Sealing is carried on very extensively from Newfoundland in 

 schooners of about eighty tons burthen, with crews of thirty men. 

 It is attended with fearful dangers ; yet the hardy Seal Hunter of 

 Newfoundland, eagerly courts the perilous adventure. 



The following Return of the number of Seal Skins exported from 

 Newfoundland from 1831 to 1848 inclusive, will furnish some idea 

 of the value of the Seal Fishery to that Colony: — 



