THE ZOOLOGIST. 
THIRD SERIES. 



Vou. XIII.) APRIL, 1889. [No. 148. 
ee ie 


NOTES ON THE SEAL AND WHALE FISHERY OF 1888. 
By T. Sournwett, F.Z.S. 
Ir perseverance could command success surely the Greenland 
and Davis Straits whalers would be richly rewarded, yet year 
after year they renew their costly outfit, and venture amongst 
the thick-ribbed ice, braving the fogs, storms, and countless dis- 
comforts of the Arctic Seas only to return disappointed men! 
Surely there must be some peculiar fascination which attracts 
them year after year to the inclement north to so little profit; 
for eight seasons I have chronicled the declining results of their 
efforts, and am at a loss which most to admire, their indomitable 
perseverance, and the tenacity with which they cling to their 
vanishing industry, or the manly courage with which they bear 
their reverses. Whaling, like mining, is a “ venture” which may 
prove a great success or the reverse, and there is all that element 
of uncertainty attending such a voyage which to adventurous men 
Possesses so great a charm. Who can tell but to-morrow their 
toil may be sweetened by success, and the vessel bear up for 
home a “full ship,” or any season the state of the ice may be 
found to have changed, and the long series of bad years give 
place to a series as remarkable for their successes ? 
The report from the Newfoundland Sealing for 1888 shows an 
improvement upon that of the previous season, the total number 
captured by the British vessels being 210,810 against 177,733, 
and no casualties have occurred, The fleet consisted of the 
Same vessels as took part in the season of 1887, with the exception 
ZOOLOGIST.— APRIL, 1889. L 
