51^ ACCOUNT OF THE AKCTIC REGIONS. 



may sometimes be killed by a dozen at a time, on a 

 small flake of ice. 



The best situation for the seal fishery in the Arctic 

 Sea, is in the vicinity of Jan May en; and the best sea- 

 son, the monthsof March and April. Shipsbeing able 

 to penetrate the skirts of the ice, have then a proba- 

 bility of meeting with them, and may occasionally 

 make a rapid and successful fishery. The captur- 

 ing of a seal is but the work of a moment. A blow 

 with a " seal-club," (Plate XIX, fig. 6.) on the nose, 

 immediately stuns it, and affords opportunity, by the 

 active use of the club upon others, of arresting the 

 flight, and making prize of many at a time. When 

 seals are found on detached pieces of drift-ice, they 

 are captured by the use of boats, every boat making 

 a descent upon a different herd. When the seals 

 are observed to be making their escape into the wa- 

 ter, before the boat reaches the ice, the sailors give a 

 loud continued shout, on which their victims are de- 

 luded by the amazement a sound so uncommon 

 produces, and frequently delay their retreat until 

 arrested by the blows of their enemies. In cases 

 where the seals are abundant, the boat immediately 

 pushes off, after the slaughter is finished, and pro- 

 ceeds to another piece of ice, for the increase of their 

 harvest, leaving one man with their former capture, 

 who employs himself in flaying off the skin and fat, 

 until his companions return. But, in situations 

 where the boats cannot navigate, the seal-fishers 



