46 MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 
course depends much on the depth of water and the solidity of the animal's forma- 
tion ; some individuals remaining but a few hours on the bottom, while others will 
remain down for two or three days at the same depth. We have known many 
whales to be recovered when sunk in from forty to sixty fathoms of water. The 
modus operandi in hauling these decomposing subjects to the surface is this: If the 
water is rough, the line is taken into the bow-chocks* of the boat; then uniting 
two crews in the after part of one boat, they cither haul on the line by hand, or 
with a tackle, until the boat's bow is nearly submerged, or the whale is lifted ; or, 
if in a smooth bay, two boats are sometimes used, by laying a spar across both, 
and taking the line between them over the spar, which serves as a sort of windlass 
purchase. If the dead animal has been long down, in a considerable depth, care is 
taken to avoid its coming up under the boat ; for as the carcass nears the surface, 
its velocity is so much accelerated, that in some instances the animal rises with a 
bound which equals its sprightliest actions before life became extinct. 
The megapteras are captured by the Indians of the North-western Coast, and 
the Esquimaux about the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in the same manner as the 
California Grays, as has been described in the opening chapter of this work ; and 
the natives of the Aleutian Islands pursue them, as well as other rorquals. When 
a whale is seen, the baidarka (skin -boat) is launched and manned by two or three 
men, and a spirited chase ensues. When close to the object of pursuit, their toy- 
like harpoons are hurled into the animal. This, however, does not insure an im- 
mediate capture; but their weapons, which are pointed with glass or flint- stone, 
and barbed with bone, are so fashioned, that, as the wounded creature writhes in 
its agony, every motion tends to work the tortuous instrument farther in ; and at 
last the fatal work is accomplished. Each whaler"s spear lias his own private 
mark, and should the prize lie found by others, they seek to ascertain by this 
means the rightful owners, who by their laws or customs are entitled to the booty 
wherever it may be found. 
The best points for Humpback whaling on the coast have been Magdalena. 
Balenas, and Monterey bays ; but, since the acquisition of Alaska, numerous places 
have been found in the bays and about the islands of that Territory, which doubt- 
less in the future will become profitable whaling stations. Several bays around the 
Aleutian Archipelago, bordering on Behring Sea, may be indicated as likely to be 
valuable for this business. 
*The bow -chocks are two pieces of wood boat; between these chocks is a metallic roller, 
fastened upon each side of the stem of the over which the whale -line runs. 
