225 WHALE-inSHEllY. 



a new one was produced to tlie Society of Arts, 

 wliich (liftered so niaterially from the instrument 

 before in use, that it was received as an original in- 

 vention. This society took a great interest in pro- 

 moting its introduction, and with some difficulty 

 and great expcnce effected it. Between 1772 and 

 1792, the Society of arts gave in premiums to whale- 

 fishers, and to artisans for improvements in the gun 

 and harpoon, the sum of 350 /. or 400 /. In one 

 year only, (1791,) they paid 36 guineas as premiums, 

 to twelve persons, who had been successful in the use 

 of the harpoon-gun. Since the year 1792, they 

 have generally been in the habit of offering a premi- 

 um of 10 guineas, to the harpoon er who should shoot 

 the greatest number of whales in one season, not 

 being less than three. Tliis premium, hov/ever, 

 though it has been frequently offered, has been sel- 

 dom claimed. The harpoon-gun has been highly 

 improved, and rendered capable of throwing a har- 

 poon near forty yards with effect ; yet, on account 

 of the difficulty and address requisite in the ma- 

 nagement of it, and the loss offish, which, in unskil- 

 ful hands, it has been the means of occasioning, to- 

 gether with some accidents which have resulted from 

 its use, — it has not been so generally adopted as 

 might have been expected. 



In its present improved form, as made by Mr 

 Wallis, gun-smith, Hull, the liarpoon-gun con- 

 sists of a kind of swivel, having a barrel of 



