4S4 
CURRENTS AND WHALING. 
become or continue superficial at the southern promontories of the 
continents. A similar cause, operating to a less extent, raises them, if 
submarine, when they are interrupted or impeded by islands, and 
spreads water of low temperature over the surface. Here then, at the 
proper season, the food of the whale will be not only more accessible, 
but more abundant within a given space, in consequence of the check 
the velocity of the stream must experience. 
So also in the zones of calms we have seen that the matter borne by 
the polar currents in all probability finds a resting-place; and here 
also, at fit seasons, the food of the whale must be abundant. Points 
possessing either of these characteristics I have distinguished, as before 
stated, by the name of nuclei. 
However satisfactory this theory may be in explaining the causes 
of the migratory habits of the sperm whale, it is obvious that we do 
not know enough of the natural history of his favourite food, nor of 
the rate and course of all the submarine polar currents, to enable us to 
predict with certainty the seasons at which he will be found in parti¬ 
cular parts of the ocean. This can be learned by observation alone, 
and long experience has taught those who are skilful in the whale- 
fishery the position of the favourite haunts of their prey, and the times 
at which they are most likely to be met with there. Comparing these 
points and the nuclei of the currents, as observed and explained in the 
preceding pages, thp coincidence will strike every one who will exa¬ 
mine the subject; and when all the facts necessary to illustrate this 
subject shall be ascertained, theory may serve in some degree to 
shorten the apprenticeship which is now necessary in order to acquire 
the requisite knowledge of the places and seasons wherein to meet the 
game in this adventurous employment; the object therefore of the 
residue of this chapter will be devoted to whaling, and to point out 
the results which our own observations, with the information derived 
from others, has afforded. 
The whaling interest, taking into consideration the extent to which 
it has been carried by our countrymen, may be almost claimed as 
peculiarly American. There are few employments in which the 
enterprise and industry of our countrymen are so well developed as 
in this, or in which so much hardihood or so many resources are 
required to insure success. 
Our whaling fleet may be said at this very day to whiten the Pacific 
Ocean w 7 ith its canvass, and the proceeds of this fishery give comfort 
and happiness to many thousands of our citizens. The ramifications 
of the business extend to all branches of trade, are spread through 
the whole Union, and its direct or secondary influence would seem to 
