1500,-1600.] CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 17 



the known habits of the common whale, which has 

 never yet been seen in the European seas, as far as 

 I can learn, but only in or very near the regions of 

 ice. Besides, the food of the mysticetus does not 

 seem to occur in the necessary profusion except in 

 the Polar Seas. The fin-whales, on the contrary, 

 which feed in general on herrings and other white 

 fish, find large supplies of food in most parts of the 

 North Sea and Atlantic Ocean. 



At first, these animals used to present themselves 

 in the Bay of Biscay, at a certain season every year, 

 when they were attacked by the Biscayans. At 

 length, however, when the capture of them became 

 a particular object of industry, and the whales were 

 disturbed and became less abundant, with a desire 

 also, it appears, of enjoying a more uninterrupted 

 fisliery, the Biscayans insensibly became bolder, and 

 being good navigators, anticipated their return by 

 pursuing them when they left the Bay, until they ul- 

 timately approached the coasts of Iceland, Green- 

 land and Newfoundland*. The Icelanders, now at- 

 tracted by a prospect of a new branch of commerce, 

 fitted out vessels, and uniting their energies with 

 those of tlie Biscayans, conducted the whale-fish- 

 cry on so extensive a scale, that, towards the end 



B 



* Bescliryvinjr der Walvisvangst, vol. i. p. 1. 



