DESCRIPTION OF WHALE-BOATS. 221 



©bserved, that the fisheiy most particularly requires 

 a, cloudy atmosphere, yet free from fog or continued 

 $now ; smooth water, with a breeze of wind ; and 

 navigably open, or perfectly solid ice. 



Calms are unfavourable for fishing. The still- 

 ness which then prevails gives the whale a great ad- 

 vantage in avoiding danger, by the distinct use of 

 its hearing and sight ; so that it is difficult for a boat 

 to approach within the distance to which a harpoon 

 can be thrown, before the fish takes the alarm, and 

 escapes. In a brisk breeze, on the contrary, where 

 the surface of the water is rough witli " wind lip- 

 per," both tlie sight and hearing of the whale must 

 be very indistinct. 



SECT. IV. 



Description of the Boats and Principal Instru- 

 ments used in the Capture of the IVhale. 



Whale-eoats are, of course, peculiarly adapted 

 for the occupation they are intended to be employ- 

 ed in. A well constructed " Greenland boat," pos- 

 sesses the following properties. It floats lightly 

 and safely on the water, — is capable of being rowed 

 with great speed, and readily turned round, — it is 

 of such capacity that it carries six or seven men, 

 seven or eight hundred weight of whale-lines, and 



