90 HISTORY OF THE WHALE. 



gence of human beings ; yet the object of the adventure, 

 the value of the prize, the joy of the capture, cannot be 

 sacrificed to feelings of compassion. 



The mysticetus, though often found in great numbers to- 

 gether, can scarcely be said to be gregarious ; for they are 

 found most generally solitary, or in pairs, excepting when 

 they are drawn to the same spot by the attraction of an 

 abundance of palatable food, or a choice situation among 

 the icebergs. 



The habitat of this valuable species is a point of the 

 highest economic importance, and more especially now, 

 when it has been chased from its older haunts into nearly 

 the impenetrable and certainly the most hazardous recesses 

 of the Polar Seas. In the Athenaeum of the current year, 

 January 1836, it is stated, " the whole of the whales which 

 frequent the Polar Seas pass annually to the southward, and 

 may be equally well encountered in the Atlantic Ocean, in 

 well known positions and seasons ; that they pass in the 

 months of March and April, about midway between the 

 coasts of Iceland and Newfoundland ; and that a much 

 nearer and less dangerous fishery might be established at 

 that season than by the present voyage to the Arctic Seas." 

 The great importance of the point at issue has induced us 

 to give this statement from our much respected cotempora- 

 ry ; though we fear it is inaccurate, and might be adduced 

 as an illustration of the prevailing ignorance concerning the 

 whale tribes. If " the whole of the whales " go southward 

 in March and April, how does it happen that, for hundreds 

 of years, so many have been captured in the Polar Seas 

 during the summer and autumnal months? Another 

 scarcely less serious objection is the decided statement of 

 Mr. Scorseby, the very highest authority on this subject, and 

 which we believe has never been contradicted, that the true 

 mysticetus has never been seen beyond the limits of the 

 Arctic Regions. Besides, the green-water or feeding 



