168 THE SPERMACETI WHALE. 



moment, or till they are wounded themselves. This 

 act is called by the whalers " heaving to;" and whole 

 schools have been destroyed by dexterous manage- 

 ment, when several ships have been in company. 

 This attachment is remarkably strong in cubs, and 

 hence they remain about the ship long after their 

 parent is destroyed. Captain Colnett remarked, that 

 if one of a herd be harpooned, more mischief was 

 done by the loose fish, than by those to which the 

 boats were fast. 



The yoimg males or " yoimg bulls" generally also 

 go in schools ; but differ remarkably from the fe- 

 males in disposition, inasmuch as they make an im- 

 mediate and rapid retreat when one of their num- 

 ber is sti*uck, and this unfortunate indi^adual is left 

 to take the best care of himself he can. They ai-e 

 also very cmming and cautious, keeping at all times a 

 good look-out against danger. The whaler, accord- 

 ingly, must be extremely careful in approaching them, 

 so as, if possible, not to be seen or heard; for they have 

 a mode of communicating with one another through 

 a whole school in an incredible short space of time. 

 This remark is true of all Sperm Whales, which thus 

 become apprized of the approach of danger, though 

 at the distance of four, five, or even seven miles. 

 (See p. 57.) Young bulls are consequently much 

 more troublesome to attack, and more difficult and 

 dangeroiLS to kill than when full gi'o^Aii. AVhen 

 three quarters or a half grown, they separate from 

 each other, and go singly in search of their food. 

 According to Beale, this species is never or very 



