%i% WHALE-FISHERY. 



which appeared to be aimed at the boat. Another 

 boat then advanced, and another harpoon was 

 struck, but not with the same result, for the stroke 

 was returned by a tremendous blow from the fish's 

 tail. The boat was sunk by the shock, and at the 

 same time whirled round with such velocity, that 

 the boat steerer was precipitated into the water, on 

 the side next the fish, and was accidentally carried 

 down to a considerable depth by its tail. After a 

 minute or two he arose, and was taken up, along 

 with his companions, into my boat. A similar attack 

 was made on the next boat which came up; but the 

 harpooner, being warned of the prior conduct of the 

 fish, used such precaution, that the blow, though 

 equal in strength, took effect only in an inferior de- 

 gree. The activity and skill of the lancers soon over- 

 came this designing whale, and added its produce 

 to the cargo of the ship. Such intentional mischief 

 on the part of the whale, it must be observed, is a 

 somewhat rare occurrence. 



Proceedings after a Whale is Killed, 



Before a whale can be flensed, as the operation 

 of taking off the fat and whalebone is called, some 

 preliminary measures are requisite. These consist 

 in securing the fish to a boat, cutting away the at- 

 tached whale-lines, lashing the fins of the whale to- 

 gether, and towing it to the ship. 



The first operation performed on a dead whale, 

 is to secure it to a boat This is easily effected, by 



