VOYAGE OF ''HE ‘ECLIPSE.’ 45 
are, inhabiting the same localities, and feeding ina manner so 
similar, that many forms must necessarily be common to both as 
their food, I cannot but suppose that previous to the commence- 
ment of the fishery, when the Greenland Whale was infinitely 
more numerous and less retiring in its habits, the relative distri- 
bution of the two animals must have been very different. The 
area of the feeding-grounds remaining constant, the struggle all 
along has been one of a slow swimmer with long whalebone plates 
versus a swift and active animal with short plates, with thig 
qualification, however, that Mysticetus has become specialised to 
inhabit those parts of the feeding-grounds covered by ice, its 
congener to occupy rather the open ocean. The prolonged 
prosecution of the Whale fishery, and the consequent reduction 
in numbers of the Greenland Whale, has favoured a corresponding 
increase in the abundance of the Blue Whale, at the same time 
permitting its intrusion upon the habitat of M ysticetus, and 
hence its frequent appearance amongst the ice, where for weeks 
the ships now search vainly for the Greenland Right Whale. 
Furthermore (and a similar argument applies to the case of the 
Saddle Seals), if the capture of Mysticetus was to cease hence- 
_ forward, ages probably would elapse before it would arrive at its 
former abundance, having to compete with intruders on its 
feeding-grounds. During the last twenty years the average 
number of Whales killed yearly has been only about ten: now 
this small number cannot amount to much in the same seas 
where in ten years the Dutch killed no less than 10,019 Whales. 
Far, however, from the animal becoming more abundant, it 
appears to become every year more rare. 
May 31.—-Lat. 78° 24’, long. 0° 25’E. A strange bird was 
Seen to-day in company with several Snow Birds. From the 
- description I received, it may have been Ross’s Gull, Rhodostethia 
rosea. 
June 3.—Lat.79°8’, long. 0°23’ W. The ice to the westward 
* having opened out with the recent westerly winds, we sailed in 
_ that direction into a large water surrounded by floes. The water 
was clear and blue, with a total absence of animal life. This is 
_ 4 good example of the fact that, when the ice drifts off any part 
of the ocean, upon which for some time it has been previously 
_ lying, there is always a complete absence of vegetable life at the 
surface. Darkness must obtain beneath the fields of ice, and 
