CHAPTER XII. 



CURRENTS AND WHALING. 



It may at first sight appear singular that subjects apparently so 

 dissimilar as currents and whaling should be united to form the sub- 

 ject of one chapter. Before its conclusion, however, we trust to 

 establish satisfactorily that the course of the great currents of the 

 ocean, sweeping with them the proper food of the great cetaceous 

 animals, determines not only the places to which they are in the habit 

 of resorting, but the seasons at which they are to be found frequenting 

 them. 



In the devious and extensive cruise performed by the Exploring 

 Expedition, many, and perhaps greater opportunities than had before 

 been enjoyed by any one vessel or squadron were afforded for investi- 

 gating the course and direction of currents. The field of research 

 thus opened proved to be so vast that I cannot but regret that we had 

 not possessed still greater facilities for prosecuting the inquiry than we 

 could attain even in a voyage of such long duration. In particular, 

 simultaneous observations in different parts of the ocean, and their 

 continuance for months or even for the whole year, were requisite to 

 render the results, that I believe I have attained, more satisfactory and 

 conclusive. Enough, however, has I hope been done to excite the 

 curiosity and rouse the attention of future navigators, by whose 

 labours a sufficient number of facts may be collected upon which to 

 found a theory that will admit of no question. 



To obtain the greatest practicable number of experiments with the 

 current log, of which mention has been made in the first chapter, was 

 an object which claimed early attention, and which was kept con- 

 stantly in view throughout the cruise. I was however aware, as all 

 those who have used this instrument extensively must be, that it is 



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