376 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



success ; and fche former vessel then proceeded in a north- 

 easterly direction in search of what is known as "Capt. Charlie's 

 patch of Hammer Heads " (see last year's Notes, p. 362), but 

 without success, and thus missed the Hoods, of which she cap- 

 tured only seventy-three young and fifty-four old ones. The 

 ' Bloodhound ' was the first steamer to return, reaching Harbour 

 Grace on March 27th. 



Mr. Chafe's circular gives the following analysis of the results 

 of the voyage : — The number of Harps was 301,436 young, 3122 

 old, and 8534 Bedlamers (i. e. over-year Seals) ; 17,810 young 

 and 10,937 old Hoods. The young Harps were in excellent con- 

 dition, but the Hoods very poor. 



The spring was very rough and cold, and much sickness pre- 

 vailed amongst the men in the shape of colds, frost-bites, and 

 pneumonia, resulting in no less than four deaths. 



I cannot close these notes without expressing my sincere 

 regret for the rather sudden death, at the age of seventy years, 

 of my valued correspondent, Sir Robert Thorburn, K.C.M.G., 

 which took place on the 13th March last. Since the year 1852, 

 when he left his Scotch home to take up his residence in St. 

 John's, Sir Robert took an active part in the legislature of the 

 Colony, and for several years held the office of Premier. His 

 death has removed one of the most highly respected and in- 

 fluential inhabitants of the Colony, and I have been greatly 

 indebted to his courtesy for information relating to the fisheries 

 of Newfoundland, of which Board he was a member. 



My thanks are due to Mr. Furneaux, editor of the St. Johns 

 'Evening Herald,' for his kind assistance. 



