D. C. Gilman—Geographical Notices. 379 
in his Journal for January, 1869, to publish a map illustrative 
of all the researches which have been made in the Polar sea 
entering at Behring’s straits, from the days of the Russian 
Deshnew, in 1648, the Danish Behring in 1729, and the Eng- 
lish Capt. Cook in 1778, to those of our countryman, Capt. 
Long, in the summer before last. 
This historical survey concludes with some remarks, a ee 
Ts. 
such a sea of ice. Capt. Roys, first of the American whalers, 
visited this sea in the summer of 1848 ; he crossed from conti- 
nent to continent as far as 72° N. lat., saw no ice, but many 
4650 sailors went to Behring’s straits and had great success in 
Whale fishery, their captures in two years being valued at 
142,453. 
For twenty years the business has been prosecuted in that 
region with increasing energy, and, notwithstanding the captures 
Which have been made, it continues to yield important results. 
To these remarks the writer adds an exaggerated report of 
the value of American whale fisheries. We are enabled on good 
authority to say that whales have diminished in the Arctic seas 
as in all other fields, and the fleet is consequently reduced. 
here will not be more than forty vessels in the Arctic during 
the coming summer, 
On the other hand, it is reported that from St. Paul’s and 
- George’s islands, in Behring’s sea, south of the straits 
(part of the Alaska purchase), 200,000 fur seals were captured 
during the year 1868, valued at about $1,000,000. 
An independent treatise on the Arctic fisheries of the Ger- 
Man ports is soon to be published as one of the supplements of 
Petermann’s J ournal, z 
Sounpines any TeMPERATURES IN THE GULF SrreamM, By Com- 
: MANDER Curmmo, R. N. 
Comm. Chimmo, BR. N., in H. M. 8. Gannet, was ordered on 
_ & homeward voyage, last year, to define the northern limits of 
5 : qo : 
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