ARCTIC ZOOLOGY. 121 



running, as the whale hunters well know, from the islands 

 of West Greenland, into the untracked ocean towards 

 America ; and again returning, nearly in the same parallel, 

 to the Greenland bays. Whether the animals following such 

 contrary courses be the same, must of course remain 

 doubtful ; but that they do proceed in that direction, admits 

 of not a shade of question. 



It may be matter of entertainment to give a short view 

 of the mode in which the whale is hunted. Every ship 

 engaged in this branch of commerce, from British ports, is 

 furnished with six boats, besides the ships, or jolly-boat. 

 One of these is called the gig-boat, or No. 1 : the remain- 

 ing five are distinguished only by their number. The gig is 

 provided with six oars, besides the steersman's ; the rest 

 have only five oars each, with the same exception : in all, 

 the harpooner uses the bow or foremost oar. Each boat is 

 provided with three lines, of 120 fathoms each, made of 

 the very soundest hemp ; as on the faithfulness of the line 

 the success of capture depends. These lines are coiled 

 with great care and nicety in a square frame in the middle 

 of the boat, and the harpooner has his weapon ready in a 

 dry place, to set it on a rest prepared for that purpose on 

 the right bow of the boat. The boat-steerer, who must be 

 trained to his station, as in emergency his courage and 

 caution may not only secure success but save the lives of 

 the men, is provided with a long oar, with which he dexter- 



R 



