132 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



deep beds of sea-weed. Among these we distin- 

 guished the Fiicus vesiculosus, csculentus, sacchari- 

 nus, fihim, plumosus, sinuosus, clavellosus, &c. and 

 some species of Conferva. 



Of all the objects, however, that we met with 

 in the course of our research, none excited so much 

 interest as the carcase of a dead whale, found strand- 

 ed on the beach ; which, though much swollen, and 

 not a little putrid, at once fixed our attention, and 

 diverted us from objects of mere curiosity. It proved 

 a prize to us of the value of about 400 /., but was not 

 secured without much labour. Being embedded in 

 the shingle, and surrounded by rocks, we found it 

 would be impossible to float it off; we were, therefore, 

 luider the necessity of flensing it where it lay, and 

 of taking its produce to the ship in boats. After 

 the first incision was made into its side, oil sprung 

 out in streams, and required the attention of several 

 persons to collect it and put it into the boats. 

 From the dangerous nature of the coast, we were 

 unable to bring the ship within two miles of the 

 shore ; our progress was, in consequence, uncommon- 

 ly slow. The blubber and oil were put into casks as 

 received on board. After we had secured the lading 

 of five boats, the weather, which had hitherto been 

 fine and calm, suddenly changed. The sky became 

 overcast, rain-clouds appeared, and a fresh gale of 

 wind witli heavy rain, succeeded. The sixth boat 

 had much difficulty in reaching the ship. By the 



