VOYAGE OF THE ‘ECLIPSE.’ 49 
species Gadus fabricii, are found frequenting the cracks. From 
these several facts it seems probable that those forms preyed 
upon by the Whalebone Whales collect under the ice, where, in 
the darkness necessarily prevailing, the retreat is rendered more 
secure. It must be remembered that the ice, being acted on by 
the wind, may be drifting through the water, so that while the 
forms collected under its surface receive the maximum amount 
of safety, a supply of food is provided in the form of vegetable 
organisms contained in the ever-changing water. The Blue Fin- 
whales appeared to have entered the ice from the 8.W., several 
being observed coming up from that direction. One, which passed 
near the ship, was going N.E. towards a floe, a corner of which 
lay across its path. Iwas anxious to notice whether it would 
pass under the ice which was only about one mile broad, and so 
reach the water on the other side without swerving from its path, 
—a feat which could easily have been performed by Mysticetus. 
Continuing its course to the eastward, this Whale dipped 
below the ice, heading towards the open water on the other side. 
After an interval of eight minutes the animal again appeared, on 
the same side of the floe, but half a mile farther to the eastward, 
having found it necessary to swerve to the right in order to regain 
the open water. After blowing eleven times it again turned to 
the N.E., and by this time, having rounded the point of the floe, 
continued its course in that direction. Meeting with no indication 
of the presence of Mysticetus we retraced our steps northward, 
and on reaching the ice in lat. 75° we again fell in with Whales 
in the same locality as before. The following extracts from my 
Log may assist in explaining our proceedings :— 
Juné 28.—Lat. 75°14’, long.'9° 28’ W. Water clear and blue : 
temperature 33°. Several “‘ Finners” seen in the morning, evi- 
dently feeding, reappearing at intervals of about twelve minutes, 
without shifting ground. On proceeding westwards for a few 
miles towards the floes, where the ice was closer, we encountered 
great numbers of Narwhals and also two Greenland Whales. 
The latter were both moving north-eastwards; the first was only 
Seen once, while the second was chased by our boats for five 
hours. Partly owing to the clearness of the water, and partly 
owing to the smoothness of the sea, the weather being calm, 
the boats could not succeed in approaching it, and so the chase 
terminated unsuccessfully. It was interesting to notice how, on 
the near approach of the boats, its blowing became more audible 
