153 



seen them in great numbers and of very large size. They 

 are of the variety known as black whales, fmners, and hump- 

 backs. Sperm whales are reported by Wilkes, but probably 

 he was mistaken, as they do not frequent cold waters. When 

 the whale fisheries were at the height of their prosperity over 

 100 vessels were engaged, and it is reported that the Samuel 

 Enderby took to England a cargo valued at £40,000. 



Three varieties of seals are abundant. The largest one 

 reported was 12 feet long, 6 feet in circumference, and 

 weighed 8501b., yielding 16 gallons of oil. Fur seals are not 

 found in the regions south of JSTew Zealand, and only in 

 limited numbers amongst the S. Shetlands, Kerguelen, and 

 Heard Islands ; and, from the accounts of the officers of the 

 Challenger, it would seem that they arc being recklessly 

 exterminated by American whalers. 



Seeing that parts of S. Victoria Land are bare, and that 

 the climate of Wilkes Land, cannot be worse than that of 

 Greenland about Disco, where animals and plants contrive to 

 flourish, it is not unlikely that the main land of the Antarctic 

 Continent may furnish some new contribution to natural 

 history whenever any one is able to effect a landing. 



It now remains for me to answer the two questions that 

 must inevitably be asked when any proposals for further ex- 

 ploration in the Antarctic are put before the people of these 

 Colonics. (1.) What is the good to be expected from it? 

 (2.) Why not leave it to others to try ? In answer to the 

 first question, we may reply, that independently of any 

 commercial advantages that may result, we must look to the 

 scientific knowledge to be acquired ; and it is now generally 

 conceded that the value of scientific investigations is not to 

 be measured by mere pecuniary results. There is a numerous 

 body of scientific men whose business it is to acquire infor- 

 mation, to collect facts in various lines of enquiry, and to 

 establish principles. No one can tell what the ultimate 

 results of any particular scientific investigation may be, what 

 practical advantages may accrue from pursuits which at one 

 time seem purely theoretical. The advantages derived by 

 the world at large from the application to every day use of 

 steam, electricity, magnetism, heat, sound, &c, followed 

 after long investigation of principles. Surgery, medicine, 

 chemistry, hygieny, are all benefitting by the labours of men 

 who were looked upon in their day as enthusiastic theorists. 

 Literature, arts and sciences are not cultivated solely for 

 money profit. In this Society we have a zealous band of 

 workers energetically striving to increase our knowledge of 

 the geology, botany, and natural history of the island we 

 live in. Their labours do not add to the value of our exports 

 nor add to the pecuniary wealth of the people, but they are 



