G6 :^ATUKAL lIlSIOPtY f)F AIUTIC AMERICA. 



2. Physalis antiquorum, Gray. 



Kazor-bac^k of whalers. 

 I cannot positively assert that the razor-back frequents the Cumber- 

 laud waters to any great extent ; in fact, I somewhat doubt if it does, 

 one reason being possibly the scarcity of fish. I have seen it north 

 of Hudson's Straits and about Cape Mercy, as well as on the Greenland 

 roast in Disko Bay. 



3. Megaptera longimaua Gray. 



lluiiip-back of whalers. 

 I could not ascertain that this whale is common in Cumberland at any 

 season. It frequents the southern waters, but is little troubled by the 

 whalers. The Ivskimo do not seem to have a very clear idea of it. 



4. Orca gladiator, (Bonn.) .Snnd. 



"Killer" of whalers. 



The killer is a very common whale in the ("iiiiiltci]:iii(l waters. They 

 arrive with the white whales, which they follow up the fjords. AFany 

 thrilling stories are told by the Eskimo as Avell as whalemen of <lesperate 

 fights between this animal and other whales. The Eskimo are rather 

 afraid of it, especially the solitary kyacker. I have known the white 

 whales to come in close proximity to the ship and lie along her sides, 

 when they were pursurfl by these voracious sea-wolves. 



5. Phocaena communis, IJrooks. 



Till" ijorpoisc is by no means rare, especially in the southern waters 

 during spring and autumn. I neither saw nor heard of them in the 

 vicinitj' of Annanactook. 



6. Beluga catodon, (Linu<5) Gray. 



White fish, or White whale, of whalers. "Killelnak," Cumberland Eskimo. 

 The white whales begin to work up the sound as soon as the ice begins 

 to loosen. They become very abundant, esjx'cially in the (Ireat Kingwah 

 Fjord. Ill .lul.\ iiiiiiiy liiindrcds rcjciir to ilic s;iiid Itcaclics (tf this fjord, 

 and some whalers have attem]>te<l to catch them in nets, but with indif- 

 ferent success. They are sometimes driven uj) jnto shallow v.ater at 

 flood tide, and by the receding of the w;iter many are left high and dry. 

 It is a (piestion of interest what they .u<) into this tjord aft<'r. it is not 

 to have their young, as they are aln-ady with the niolliers; nor does it 

 seem to be after food, as little or nothing is I'onnd in their stomachs at 

 this time. One thing 1 noticed, when they go uj) the fjord they have a 

 ragged appearance and dirty color, and, according to some whalemen, 



