206* WHALE-FISHEllY. 



generally steer for the whaling stations, on a course 

 to the east of nortli, with the view of falling into 

 that reniarkahle indentation of the Polar ice, lying 

 in 5 or 10 degrees east longitude, which I have de- 

 nominated the " Whale-fishers Bight." It used to 

 be the practice to remain on sealing stations until 

 the beginning of May, and not to enter the ice 

 until about the middle of the month ; but of late 

 it has become usual to push into the ice at a much 

 earlier period, though the practice is neither with- 

 out its dangers nor disadvantages. If a ])arrier of 

 ice prevents the fisher from reaching the usual fish- 

 ing station, he sometimes perseveres in search of 

 whales on the southward margin of the ice, but 

 more generally endeavours to push through it into 

 an opening, which is usually formed on the west 

 side of Spitzbergen in the month of May, where 

 he seldom fails of meeting with the objects of his 

 search. It is a common remark, that the more diffi- 

 culty there is attending the passage through the 

 ice, the better is the fishery when that passage is 

 accomplished. In close seasons, very few ships pass 

 the barrier before the middle or end of JMay. Those 

 which first succeed, immediately proceed along the 

 edge of the western ice to the latitude of 78 or 79 

 degrees, or until they meet with whales. But in 

 open seasons, the most commendable plan is to sail 

 direct to the latitude of 80 degrees, when it can 



