ARCTIC WHALE FISHERY IN 1908. 



27 



7 ft. to 8 ft. bone. These also were all taken in June, the weather 

 being very fine, although the ice conditions were not so favour- 

 able. Both vessels went to the southern fishery in the end of 

 June, where heavy Whales might be looked for. The * Scotia 

 captured one on July 5th and another on the 10th, both being 

 7 ft. to 8 ft. bone. The ' Balsena ' was not successful here, and 

 the ' Scotia ' pushed in towards the coast, where she met with a 

 number of Musk Oxen, thirteen of which she killed, and brought 

 home two alive, which the "red-tape " of our Board of Agriculture 

 refused permission to be landed, doubtless much to the satis- 

 faction of the Continental "Zoos." 



The season in Davis Strait has again been very unproductive, 

 perhaps owing to the condition of the ice, which has been very 

 unfavourable. The 1 Eclipse ' did not see a single Whale. Mr. 

 Kinnes says: — " I never before heard of an experienced captain 

 like Capt. Milne of the 'Eclipse ' going all over the well-known 

 grounds, and covering more ground than usual, without seeing 

 the blast of a single Whale ; it looks to me as though Davis 

 Strait was completely played out. There has been no fall fishing 

 for the last three years in Davis Strait owing to bad ice con- 

 ditions." The ' Morning,' however, saw a good many Whales, 

 and captured two of over 10 ft. bone, losing two others ; while 

 the 4 Diana ' secured one small Whale. 



