500 



GREENLAND OR POLAR ICE. 



whales. Such space is sometimes frozen over un- 

 til the middle or end of the month of May, but 

 not un frequently free of ice. The barrier here 

 opposed to the fisher, usually consists of a mass 

 of ice from 20 to 30 or 40 leagues across in the 

 shortest diameter. It is generally composed of 

 packed ice, and often cemented into a continuous 

 Jield by the interference of bay ice, which incre- 

 dibly augments the difficulty of navigating among 

 it. 



As the time that can be devoted to the whale- 

 fishery, is, by the nature of the climate, limited 

 to three or four months ^ in the year, it is of im- 

 portance to pass this barrier of ice as early as pos- 

 sible in the season. The fisher here avails him- 

 self of every power within his command. The 

 sails are expanded in favourable winds, and with- 

 drawn in contrary breezes. The ship is urged 

 forward amongst the drij't ice through the force 

 of the wind, assisted by ropes and saws. When- 

 ever a tein of Xi'atcr, as it is called, appears 



* The fishery is prevented in the winter season, by the in- 

 tensity of the frost,- the deficiency of h'ght, — and the impracti- 

 cabihty of reaching the usual fishing stations at that season ; 

 and these obstacles are not considered sufficiently removed un- 

 til the month of April The other limit is occasioned by the 

 prevalence of dense fogs, and the disappearance of the whales^ 

 which circumstances, generally close the fishery by the end of 

 J un6 or beginning of July. 



