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, the 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 with 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 



