182 ZOOLOGY. 



that the Cachalot is sought with the greatest success ; 

 as in those corresponding to the intertropical coasts of 

 Africa, America, Asia, and New Holland, or surrounding 

 the Indian and Polynesian Islands ; but more especially 

 and uniformly in the "line currents," which extend 

 from the equator to about the seventh degree of north 

 and south latitude, both in the western and eastern 

 hemisphere. 



Large parties of these whales have been remarked to 

 affect particular spots at distinct times ; though it has 

 not been ascertained that their visits to any one tract of 

 water are sufficiently regular to be considered as season- 

 able ; and it should be observed, that when seasons are 

 spoken of in this fishery, the term applies less to the 

 periodic presence of whales in the regions referred to, 

 than to the convenience of whale ships, in regard to 

 weather, &c. Thus the " Japan cruise," in the Pacific, 

 extending from 20 to 40 north latitude, commences 

 with the spring months, April and May, and concludes 

 with the autumnal months, September and October, or 

 when the accession of inclement weather may be 

 expected in that region ; although there is no reason to 

 doubt, that whales continue in its waters during the 

 entire year. While driven by winter weather from the 

 north, the whaler occupies his time in the more genial 

 climates of Southern America and the Equator, or "takes 

 the off-shore season." The same remark applies, also, 

 to the Sperm Fishery in the Indian seas ; where its sea- 

 sons are equally influenced by the variations of the 

 monsoons. Nevertheless, the natives of the Society 

 Islands expect to see the Cachalot around their shores 

 only during the months of April and May, or, as they 

 express the time, " when the Vis (Hog-plums) are ripe ;" 

 and whalers consider, that from September to December 



