No. 2.] THE WHALE OF THE ST. LAWRENCE. 203 



We have, then, oi> tlie one liand, the fact tliat the Silurian 

 basin of Bohemia was isohited and separated from other reuions, 

 over which successively existed the three general faunas chnrac- 

 teristic of the Silurian period (with the Upj)er Cambrian i. On 

 the other hand, divers well established facts demonstrate the co- 

 existence of a certain number of identical species on corresponding 

 horizons in countries geographically widely removed from one 

 another. This co-existence can only be explained by the effect of 

 miiirations. 



We may suppose, therefore, that the repeated introduction into 

 Bohemia of species which are equally characteristic of the colo 

 nies and of the third fauna, may be explained by having recourse 

 to the phenomenon of migrations. We may ;dso suppose that 

 the intermittent appearance of the colonies may be attributed to 

 oscillations of the land during the last phases of the second fauna, 

 the occurrence of such oscillations being testified by the frequent 

 intercalation of traps in the beds in question (viz. in d b). 



Lastly, we may define the phenomena of "" colonies ' as con- 

 sisting in '' the co existence of two ijeneral fauna), which, con- 

 sidered in their entirety, are nevertheless successive." 



THE WHALP] OF THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



1!\- Di!. .1. W. Am)KI!S()n, I'rcsidciit of the I^itoiarN' and Historical 



Society ol' QucIk-c. 



In the early history of Canada, the whale and walrus fishery of 

 the Gulf of St, Lawrence was of no inconsiderable influence, 

 giving employment to many of the Basque and Breton fishermen, 

 and being one of the best nurseries for French seamen In later 

 times when the walrus had become entirely extinct, the whale 

 fishery was prosecuted with energy by the Canadians, especially 

 of the District of is})e ; and Bouchette, writing in 1882, says: 

 " The whale fishery is carried on witli some success by a few 

 active and enterprising inhabitants, who are almost exclusively 

 employed in this kind of fishery. Four or five schooners, manned 

 each with from eight to twelve able and skilful persons, are occu- 

 pied in whaling during the summer months. This business yields 

 about 18.00(1 gallons of oil. which is principally sent to Quebec. 



