£52 WHALE-nSHERY. 



general average, including all sizes of iisli and all 

 circumstances of capture, may probably be two or 

 three hours. 



The method practised in the capture of whales 

 under favourable circumstances, is very uniform 

 with all the fishers, both Eritains and foreigners. 

 The only variation observable in the proceedings 

 of the different fishers, consisting in the degree 

 of activity and resolution displayed, in pursuance 

 of the operations of harpooning and lancing the 

 v.lialc, and in the address manifested in improv- 

 ing by any accidental movement of the fish, which 

 may lay it open to an effectual attack, — rather than 

 in any thing different or superior in the general me- 

 thoCi of conducting the fishery. It is true, that with 

 some the harpoon-gun is much valued, and used with 

 advantage, while with others, it is held in prejudi- 

 ced aversion; yet, as this difference of opinion affects 

 only the first attack and entanglement of the whale, 

 the subsequent proceedings with all the fishers, may 

 still be said to be founded on equal and unanimous 

 principles. Hence, the mode described in the pre- 

 ceding pages, of conducting the fishery for whales 

 under favourable circumstances, may be considered 



average, in 67 minutes. Tlae shortest time expended in the 

 taking of one of tlie 12 Avhules, was 28 minutes ; the longest 

 time 2 hours. One of these whales, we believed, descended 

 670 fathoms perpendicular; another 720; and a third 750. 

 One descended 1400 f.ithoms obliquely, and another 16OO fa- 

 thoms. 



