94 NATURAL HISTORY. 



another boat is fastened to it, and sometimes a whale has 

 carried off three miles of line with it. 



The use of the harpoon is merely to hold the whale ; it 

 does not enter deep, and causes the animal but little incon- 

 venience, as a whale has often broken its line and escaped 

 with the harpoon sticking in its back, and been afterwards 

 recaptured, apparently none the worse for its adventure. In 

 order to kill the whale the fishermen have another weapon, 

 called a " lance." This is a long, slender, steel weapon, with 

 a very sharp head, without barbs, as the men have to with- 

 draw the lance as fast as they can after it has pierced a vital 

 part. With these few and simple weapons the fishers contrive 

 to secure the monster of the waters a beautiful instance of 

 the superiority of reason over brute strength ; for as the expert 

 angler secures a large and strong fish with a single hair, utterly 

 inadequate to bear half the weight of the creature it holds, so 

 the whale-fisher, with a few small weapons, achieves a task 

 which may be compared to a mouse attacking and killing a 

 w.olf with a reel of thread and a crochet needle. 



The boats always approach the whale from behind, lest 

 the expected prey should see them and escape. When within 

 a few yards the harpooner throws his weapon at the Avhale, 

 so as to pierce through the mass of blubber, and hold fast in 

 the flesh. The wounded animal instantly dashes off, taking 

 the line with it. When it has been under water for some 

 time, it is forced to come to the surface to breathe. The 

 fishers mark the place where it rises, and thrust their long 

 lances deep into its body, inflicting mortal wounds. Blood 

 mixed with water is now discharged from the whale's nostrils 

 or "blow-holes," a sure sign that it will soon die. Presently 

 streams of blood are thrown up, colouring the sea and fre- 

 quently drenching the crews of the boats, and after a few 

 violent struggles the whale turns over on its side and dies. 



The enormous carcass is now joyously towed to the ship, 

 and preparations are made for "flensing," or cutting off the 

 useful parts. Strong ropes are attached to the head and tail, 

 and me i wearing shoes armed with spikes, to prevent slipping, 

 coinme.ice the process by fastening ropes to its head and tail. 

 A stron i hook is then fixed into the fat near the neck, called 

 the " Lent," as it is used for " kenting," or turning the 

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