176 NIMKOD OF THE SEA; OR, 



posed that, after the blood in the general circulation is viti- 

 ated by the prolonged sounding, the pure blood in this res- 

 ervoir comes in play, and maintains the circulation until the 

 whale again rises to the surface. Such is my remembrance 

 of Hunter's views, and I believe they are accepted by later 

 observers. The sperm-whale is required to descend to great 

 depths to obtain its food, so the period of submergence is 

 more prolonged than in any of the other species; conse- 

 quently, it is supposed to be furnished with a reserved force 

 in a greatly increased quantity of blood. The sperm-whale 

 is also distinguished at a great distance by the number of 

 its spouts. Fifty, sixty, and seventy spouts are not unusual ; 

 in fact, we pretend to mark the size of the whale by the 

 number of spouts, allowing a barrel of oil for every blow 

 made. Were it not for the prolonged rising, man would be 

 unable to approach a sperm-whale with a boat, such is their 

 roving disposition, and the distances traversed under water. 

 The blood reservoir, lying under the spine and in the 

 vicinity of the lungs, constitutes what whalemen term the 

 " life " of the whale. This is described as packed with ar- 

 teries of great size, coiled in the greatest complexity, and 

 containing in their folds an unknown volume of the vital 

 fluid. This is the spot sought for with the keen lance. 

 When rudely invaded, the bloody torrent pouring from the 

 folds surcharges the lungs, and is expelled through the blow- 

 hole. Suffocation becomes inevitable; all the air-passages are 

 choked, and death follows, sometimes in a very few minutes 

 after the blow is given. At other times, when the wound is 

 not so deep, the dying beast will spout hogsheads of thick 

 gore, and his agonies may be prolonged for a considerable 

 period. The creature will lie on the surface, feebly propel- 

 ling itself onward, and, with quick, repeated sobs, will pour 

 out its blood, coloring the surrounding sea for a great dis- 

 tance. From this stupor it arouses to the last struggle. 



