CHAPTEK XII. 
CURRENTS AND WHALING. 
It may at first sight appear singular that subjects apparently so dis¬ 
similar as currents and whaling should be united to form the subject 
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 
cuirent 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 
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