36 BLACKFISn. 



to windward than we could pursue them. The 

 weather was threatening, the sea boisterous, and 

 therefore our seats in the boat were neither pleasant 

 nor dry; consequently, at the expiration of three and 

 a half hours, we returned to the ship. As I stepped 

 aboard of her I felt that I had reached home, and 

 ever after that, as long as I belonged to her, home 

 and the old barkey were to me synonymous terms. 



Whilst in the boats I saw a whale breach or leap 

 bodily into the air, his vast bulk appearing in has 

 relief, suspended for a moment in mid air — the sky 

 above, the sea beneath — and although it was not so 

 perfect a display of the creature's immensity and 

 power as I often afterwards witnessed, still I was 

 struck with the greatness of the Creator's works in 

 this, to us, almost unknown element. 



Soon after our incursion on the sperm whale terri- 

 tory we lowered for blackfish, but were unsuccessful. 

 This is not our legitimate pursuit, but is always done 

 in good weather when a ship has a green crew ; and 

 in many instances the captain makes it a point to 

 lower for and capture them whenever the opportunity 

 presents itself. This is a beautiful fish, from twelve 

 to twenty-five feet in length ; always seen in immense 

 numbers herding together, as if for mutual protection ; 

 they have a jet black, smooth, and shining skin, un- 

 marred by a wrinkle, which in the sun presents a beau- 

 tiful appearance, and from it they derive their name. 

 The shape of their head reminds me of a pug-nosed 

 dog. Unlike the sperm whale they have both jaws 

 furnished with teeth. A full grown fish yields from 

 two to five barrels of oil. Their meat is palatable to 

 my taste, although I could not recommend it to an 



