Whales as the Whalers Knew Them 175 



"Like all the inhabitants of the sea, whales 

 are affected by the tides, being most numerous 

 at the full and change of the moon, beginning 

 to appear three days before and disappearing 

 entirely three days after the change. Often 

 this will go on for months with the utmost 

 regularity, unless some great change in the ice 

 takes place. No doubt whales are seen and 

 often taken during any time of the tides; but if 

 a herd is hunted systematically, and they are 

 attached to a particular feeding bank, this is 

 their usual habit. Neither can this peculiarity 

 in their habits be easily accounted for; their 

 food is as abundant during the neap as it is in 

 the spring tides." 



Davis, previously quoted, notes a similar pecul- 

 iarity in connection with the sperm whale fishery 

 of the Pacific. He says : 



"The length of time that a whale can remain 

 under the surface is probably much greater than 

 has hitherto been allowed. Sometimes, notably 

 during the full of the moon, the whales abound 

 over the feeding ground, and many are taken. 

 But the busy season is followed by a period of 



