338 APPENDIX 



move also; and if they chance to light upon a rocke, they are 

 easily wounded to death, and so are cast upon the next shoare. 

 This reason more prevailed with me, then the opinion of the 

 people. My selfe (I remember being in this Region at the 

 same time when my Lord the Seriffo bare rule over it,) was in- 

 vited by a certaine Gentlem, and was by him conducted into a 

 Garden, where he showed me a Whales rib of so great a size, 

 that lying upon the ground with the convexe or bowing Side 

 upward, in manner of an arch, it resembled a gate, the hollow 

 or inward part whereof aloft we could not touch with our heads, 

 as we rode upon our Camels backs: this rib (he said) had laine 

 there above an hundred yeares, and was kept as a miracle. 

 Here may you find upon the sea-shore great store of Amber, 

 which the Portugal and Fessan Merchants fetch from thence 

 for a verie mean price : for they scarcely pay a Duckat for a whole 

 ounce of most choice and excellent Amber. Amber (as some 

 thinke) is made of Whales dung, and (as others suppose) of 

 their Sperma or Seede, which being consolidate and hardened 

 by the Sea, is cast upon the next shoare." 



— ^JoHN Leo, on Africa: 



"Purchas His Pilgrimes," Maclehose edition, 



A, D. circa 1526, Glasgow, 1905, vol. V, p. 369. et seq. 



The Request of an Honest Merchant to a Friend of His, 

 TO BE Advised and Directed in the Course of Killing 

 the Whale, as Followeth. An. 1575. 



I pray you pleasure me in getting me perfect information of 

 the matter hereunder specified. 



For the provision and furniture for a shippe of 200 tunnes, to 

 catch the Whale fish in Russia, passing from England. How 

 many men to furnish the ship. 



How many fishermen skilful to catch the Whale, & how many 

 other officers and Coopers. 



How many boats, and what fashion, and how many men in 

 each boate. 



