124 WHALE OP THE SOUTHERN SEAS. 



The harpooner generally endearours to strike two 

 harpoons at the first attack, both of which are at- 

 tached to the same line, by which he has a double 

 hold of the fish. The harpoons are usually thrown 

 at the whale when at the distance of six or eight 

 yards, and the lances, which are kept in fine order, 

 are sometimes used in the same way. Two boats 

 are considered sufficient to kill an individual of this 

 species, so that, when it can be accomplished, two 

 are struck at the same time. Whenever the animal 

 re-appears on the surface, the fast boat is hoisted up 

 towards it by means of the line ; thus affording an 

 opportunity to the harpooner to lance it, and en- 

 abling him often to capture his prize without the 

 assistance of any other boat. 



When it is flensed, which is done in the same 

 manner as in the sperm whale, to be afterwards de- 

 scribed, the upper jaw, with all the baleen attached, 

 is usually hoisted on board. The whalebone is then 

 divided into junks, and these, at the first leisure, 

 are subdivided into single blades and stowed away 

 after the gimi is removed. If a storm happen to 

 arise before the fish is flensed, a hawser is fastened 

 to it, and the ship rides by it ; at the conclusion of 

 the gale it is brought along side and " cut in." If, 

 however, an interval of more than two or three days 

 occur before the flensing is commenced, the whale 

 swells, the blubber becomes impregnated with blood, 

 and must be abandoned as useless. 



