ILLUSTEATIVE ANECDOTES. 281 



upon a whale, which exhibited the most uncommon 

 determination to escape from its pursuers, seconded 

 by the most amazing strength of any individual 

 whose capture I ever witnessed. After all, it may 

 seem surprising, that it was not a particularly large 

 individual ; the largest lamina of whalebone only 

 measuring 9 feet 6 inches, while those affording 

 12 feet bone are not uncommon*. The quantity 

 of line withdrawn from the different boats engaged 

 in the capture, was singularly great. It amounted, 

 altogether, to 10,440 yards f, or nearly six English 



* It has been frequently observed, that whales of this size 

 are the most active of the species ; and that those of very large 

 growth are, in general, captured with less trouble. 



+ The following is a correct statement of the quantity of lines 

 withdrawn from eacli of the fast-boats, viz. 



From the first fast-boat 13 new lines, (the whole of 



which, together with the boat, were lost) ; harpoon Yards, 



drew, - - - 3120 



From the second fast-boat 6^ lines ; line broke, - i560 



third S| lines ; harpoon drew, 840 



fourth 14 lines; line broke, - 3360 



fifth ^ line ; harjioon drew, - 120 



sixth 2 Jj lines, - - (500 



seventh 2| lines, - - 600 



eighth 1 line, - . - 240 



Total in yards, 10,440 



