SCIENTIFIC TRACTS. 



* NUMBER XXIV. 





WHALE FISHERY. 



[Continued.] 



IN a former number, we described the ordinary pro- 

 cess of attacking and capturing a whale. In continua- 

 tion of the general subject, we proceed to devote the few 

 pages of the present volume which remai*, to a descrip- 

 tion of some particular incidents, which Scoresby nar- 

 rates, and which farther illustrate the business, and to 

 an account of the manner, by which the oil is extracted. 



INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 



'On the twenty fifth of June, 1812, one of the harpoon- 

 ers belonging to the Resolution, under my command, 

 struck a whale by the edge of a small floe of ice. As- 

 sistance being promptly afforded, a second boat's lines 

 were attached to those of the fast-boat,* in a few minutes 

 after the harpoon was discharged. The remainder of 

 the boats proceeded to some distance, in the direction 

 the fish seemed to have taken. In about a quarter of an 

 hour, the fast-boat, to my surprise, again made a signal 

 for lines. As the ship was then within five minutes' sail, 

 we instantly steered towards the boat, with the view of 

 affording assistance, by means of a spare boat, we still 

 retained on board. Before we reached the place, how- 

 cv: -, we observed four oars displayed in signal order, 



* For a definition of these and other technical terms, see Tract, 

 No. 17. 



VOL. I. NO. XXIV. 51* 



