WHALING 273 



Several other species of the larger whales are known to fre- 

 quent the southern and eastern waters of Davis strait and Baffin 

 bay, but do not go into the densely ice-covered seas of the west- 

 ern side, nor are they found in Hudson strait or bay. 



None of these whales possess the precious whalebone. They 

 are also of comparatively little value for oil, and only when 

 hunted by steamers in conjunction with shore factories, where 

 all the products can be turned to profitable account, as is done 

 in Norway and Newfoundland, can the chase for them be profit- 

 able. Such ships and stations will require to be operated from 

 the Greenland coast. 



The following species of whales are the most common and 

 important : 



Physalus antiquorum, Flem. Big Finner, is found in Davis 

 strait, chiefly on the cod-banks, where it devours immense num- 

 bers of fish. For its size it gives a remarkably small quantity 

 of oil. On this account it is not killed by the whalers, and 

 seldom by the natives. 



Balaenoptera sibbaldii. Gray. This whale is usually con- 

 founded with the one last mentioned; has the same range and 

 habits, and is rarely killed by the natives. 



Balaenoptera rostrata, Fab. The Little Finner has the same 

 range as the above, being well known to the Eskimos of Green- 

 land and unknown to those of Baffin island. 



Megaptera longimana, Gray. The Humpback, appears on 

 the Greenland coast in summer. Its whalebone is very short 

 and of a poor quality, so that its price in no way compares with 

 that of the Right whale. The blubber also is poor and makes 

 little oil in comparison to its size. 



Orca gladiator, Sund. The Killer (Grampus, or Swordfish), 

 is very voracious, and lives largely upon fish, seals, porpoises 

 and white whales. It also attacks large Right whales, and on 



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