44 THE GERMAN ARCTTC EXPEDITION. 



firmed by tlie least prejudiced whalers of the present 

 day, namely, that they are the whale's greatest enemies, 

 following and attacking it in large droves. 



Besides the " Nordkapers," one day (the 10th of 

 July), we observed another kind of dolphin, three or 

 four of which played under our bows. They were quite 

 brown, witliout any upright back-fin, having a thick 

 head and steep forehead. It was a strange and fasci- 

 nating sight to watch these boorish, uncouth cetacea of 

 nearly fifteen feet long, playing in the water so peaceably 

 and securely and yet so nimbly. 



Unfortunately the disturbing hand of man, in the 

 attempt to make use of the breech-loader, startled these 

 peaceful creatures. Before we were prepared for it shots 

 were heard, and the dolphins hurriedly withdrew from the 

 further observation of the " lords of the creation." For 

 the sake of the zoologist and his science, it was to be 

 wished that such a creature should be killed and exa- 

 mined. But the Germania was wanting both in the 

 apparatus and means for taking it, as well as in accom- 

 modation for working. 



We also saw, though only in the distance, the blowing 

 of some rorquals. 



Meanwhile a number of soundings had been taken on 

 the Hansa, which gave the following result : 1st of July, 

 in 60° 45' North lat. and 2° 4' 3" East long., a depth of 

 65 fathoms, with stony ground, Norwegian granite ; 7th 

 of July, in 68° 18' North lat. and 7° 14' East long., 700 

 fathoms, hard sand. 



A series of other soundings gave no decided result. 

 The temperature of the sea was taken daily. 



