292 



Proceedings, &c., for 1886. 



fifteen were counted from the deck. 29th December. — A great 

 many whales were seen, chiefly of the common black kind, 

 greatly resembling, but said to be distinct from, the Greenland 

 whale. Sperm, as well as hunchback whales, were also observed. 

 Of the common black species we might have killed any number we 

 pleased. They appeared chiefly to be of unusually large size, and 

 would yield a great quantity of oil, and were so tame that our 

 ships, sailing close past, did not seem to disturb them. During the 

 afternoon many marine invertebrata were taken, amongst them the 

 Clio Borealis, uj)on which, doubtless, the whales were feeding, as it 

 is well known that these creatures constitute the whale's food in the 

 northern seas. 14th January, 1841, lat. 71 degs. 50 mins. S,, long» 

 122 degs. 20 mins. E. — Great number of whales. Thirty were 

 counted at one time, and during the whole day, wherever you 

 turned your eyes, their blasts were to be seen. They were chiefly 

 of large size, and the hunchback kind ; only a few sperm whales 

 were distinguished amongst them by their peculiar manner of 

 blowing. Hitherto beyond the reach of their persecutors, they 

 have here enjoyed a life of security, but will now no doubt be 

 made to contribute to the wealth of our country in exact propor- 

 tion to the energy and perseverance of our merchants. 



15th January, lat. 71 degs. 56 mins. S., long. 171 degs. 51 mins. 

 E. — Whales were seen in numbers, and they who may hereafter 

 seek them will do well to keep near and under lee of extensive 

 banks of ice to protect themselves from the heavy sea they will 

 have to encounter. 25th January. — For several days past we had 

 seen very few whales, which was the more remarkable on account of 

 the very great numbers we met with sixty or seventy miles further 

 north. The weather continued fine up to 31st January. Saw a great 

 number of whales of small size, several of them marked with white 

 patches. 16th February, lat. 76 degs. 32 mins. S., long. 166 degs. 

 12 mins. E. — A great quantity of whales of two different kinds were 

 seen, the larger kind having an extremely long erect black fin, whilst 

 that of the smaller was scarcely discernible. 1st March. — We saw 

 a great many whales whenever we came near the pack edge, chiefly 

 of a very large size, and I have no doubt that before long this place 

 will be the frequent resort of our whaling ships. 18th December.— 

 Amongst the ice, lat, 60 degs. 50 mins. S., long. 147 degs. W., a few 

 whales of the finner kind were seen, and some small seals were 

 basking on the ice. In the evening many whales were seen 

 amongst the ice, and were so tame that the ships struck upon one 

 in passing over it. 



lOiih February, 1842, lat. 75 degs. 6 mins. S., long. 187 degs. 

 4 mins. W.^ — A few whales and a few finners were seen. 



28th February, lat. 70 degs. 54 mins. S., long. 175 degs. 36 

 min. W. — Seals were comparatively few, but the small finback whale, 

 as also the piebald kind^ were numerous along the pack edge. 



