522 CURRENTS AND WHALING. 



bique to Zanzibar, is good ground, and the latter place is also a good 

 port for repairing. 



Some ships extend their cruising during the northeast monsoon, 

 from October to April, to the Arabian coast, but the African is gene- 

 rally preferred. The Chagos Archipelago at times affords some 

 success, but it is very doubtful ground, and has not been often fre- 

 quented. The proper season is during the southwest monsoon. 



The most profitable ground in the Indian Ocean is the west and 

 northwest coast of New Holland, as far eastward as the islands of 

 Timor, Lombock, and Angier, and westward to the Keeling Islands, 

 including the coast of Java. 



On reference to the map illustrative of the currents and whaling- 

 grounds, before referred to, it will be perceived how nearly these 

 grounds coincide with the places wherein, according to the views 

 already stated, the polar streams are obstructed by land or islands, so 

 as either to interrupt their course, or create such an impediment as to 

 change it. 



The Sooloo Sea is the only place that remains to be noticed. 

 American ships, however, have seldom gone thither; but some Eng- 

 lish vessels are reported as having met with much success there. 



There are two routes by which our whale-ships can enter the 

 Pacific : one by the Cape of Good Hope and round New Holland ; 

 the other, by Cape Horn. 



To take the first route, they ought generally to time their departure 

 so as to meet the season off New Zealand in March, and this is also the 

 best course for ships sailing in the autumn from the United States. 

 They will then reach their whaling-ground at the earliest possible 

 season, and place themselves at once in a situation to reap the harvest 

 of which they are in search ; and they would, in all probability, 

 have time to refit and recruit after the outward voyage. This is 

 much more important for insuring success in this employment than 

 very many either of the masters or owners are aware. After a few 

 days in port, and a supply of fresh vegetables, they would find both 

 their ships and crews in a better condition to take the sea and keep 

 it. After remaining six weeks or two months on the New Zealand 

 Ground, until the winter season and boisterous weather approach, 

 the vessels should pass to the northward, towards Sunday Island, 

 and thence cruise to the eastward, between the latitudes of 22° and 

 28° S., or even in a few degrees higher latitude. The lower lati- 



