ARCTIC ZOOLOGY. ]29 



insensible of pain. To some such occurrence is to be at- 

 tributed the circumstance of a whale having been cajitured 

 with the harpoon imbedded in its body, after traversina 

 the unknown seas between Spitzbergen and Davis's Strait. 



I cannot conclude this part of the subject without men- 

 tioning the singular character of courage and intrepidity 

 evinced by the men employed in the capture of the whale. 

 Trained to the occupation from boyhood, and induced by 

 rewards of much importance in their station, such qua- 

 lifications are highly recommendatory in their application 

 for employment ; and, in their voyage, should " good 

 luck " attend their exertions, and an implicit devotedness 

 to the interests of the owner be evinced, their advance- 

 ment and emolument are certain. The expense of out- 

 fit, the danger of total loss by shipwreck, and the thousand 

 casualties to which this branch of trade is liable, should 

 prevent all envy of the profits arising from it. ^Vhen 

 successful, these profits are certainly great ; but thej- are 

 fairly balanced, not only by the constant and straining an- 

 xiety attending selfish concern, but by the apprehension that 

 all the individuals so engaged may probably never return 

 from so perilous a mission. Such reflections consume an 

 honest and humane heart ; whilst the purse of the ad- 

 venturing merchant may be distended by the fortunate 

 return.* Indeed under every consideration, few would be 



* The whale averages a value of lOOO/. 

 S 



