Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/132

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128
POLAR EXPLORATION

although we know of at least two other right whales in subantarctic waters. Finners (Balænoptera), humpbacks (Megaptera), and thrashers (Orca) have, however, been recorded, and on the edge of the ice, blackfish (Globiocephalus). These great whales very often occur in immense schools in Antarctic seas. The Scottish Expedition of 1892–93 passed through thousands of finner whales. On December 16, 1892, many came quite close to the ship, and, as far as the eye could reach in all directions, one could see their curved backs, and see and hear their resounding blasts. During recent years these whales have been greatly hunted by Argentine, Chilian, Norwegian and British Whaling Companies, in the same manner as similar whales have been hunted in northern European and Spitsbergen waters. Whaling stations have been set up by these companies on the South Shetlands (Deception Island), South Georgia, and more recently at the Falkland Islands, and the results of these fishings have been a very handsome dividend to the shareholders. The southern right whale (Balæna australis) is also caught by these whalers. It is reported, however, although this industry has been established only for five or six years, that the numbers of the whales have already markedly diminished. But these whales penetrate well into the pack, where the small iron steamers