•370 WHALE-FISHERY. 



they calculate upon. The increase of variation 

 with the longitude in a westerly direction, acts, 

 therefore, in the navi" .tor's favour, but only in a 

 trifling degree. I' another respect, however, this 

 regular altcratioii of the variation serves to point out 

 the situation of tlie ship in longitude, within 2" or 

 S'^, when a sufficiently delicate instrument is on 

 board for observing the variation with accuracy. 



If the homeward bound Greenlandmen steer too 

 far to the eastward, they make the coast of Xorway, 

 and if too for to tlie westward, they probably make 

 Fcroe. The appearance of certain birds, sea-weeds 

 and medusa^ — sudden alterations in the swell, — 

 and the examination of the depth of the ^^■ater, are 

 the principal intimations wliich give them a know- 

 ledge of tlieir situation. The appearance of sea- 

 weeds and medusae in the water, and of solan 

 geese, skua-gulls and land birds on the wing, denote 

 their proximity to land. A westerly swell general- 

 ly prevailing between the latitudes of 60° and 65", 

 its sudden cessation indicates shelter from some land. 

 If, in the 62d or 63d degree of latitude, the westerly 

 swtII be suddenly obstructed, it is evident that the 

 Feroe Islands are not far distant to the v>^estward ; 

 but if the same effect takes place in the 61st degree, 

 it denotes the proximity of Slietland to the Vvcst- 

 ward. 



