CETACEANS. 195 



navigates the globe. A few small vessels, fitted out 

 from the ports of the United States, limit their search 

 for the Sperm Whale to the North Atlantic, and chiefly 

 to the coast of Africa, Western Isles, and the Equator. 

 They often prove highly successful. 



The log-book, or journal, of a South-Seaman has 

 some peculiarities which distinguish it from the same 

 document of a merchant-ship ; these are chiefly a more 

 copious detail of the natural objects noticed in the sea 

 or air from day to day, and notes of the principal events 

 occurring in the pursuit of whales. Should Sperm 

 Whales have been seen, but not secured to the ship, the 

 entry of the day's work is preceded by the figure of a 

 whale's head. Should whales have been captured, the 

 same space is occupied by the representation of as many 

 erect flukes as there were whales obtained. When a 

 dead whale is accidentally found floating on the water, 

 and is taken to the ship, the distinguishing mark in the 

 journal is the same as the last, with the exception that 

 the flukes are reversed. 



The boats used in this fishery are from twenty-seven 

 to thirty feet in length, by four or five in breadth. The 

 plank of which they are built does not exceed half an 

 inch in thickness ; consequently, their strength is in a 

 great measure sacrificed to the more essential qualities of 

 speed and buoyancy. They have an elegant and symme- 

 trical form, the stern being equally sharp with the bow, 

 to enable the boat to recede rapidly when the action of 

 the oars is reversed, without the delay of turning. 



In the place of a rudder, an oar projects from the 

 left side of the stern, to which it is secured by a loop, 

 or "grummet." This "steer oar" is of considerable 

 length, and from its size and leverage requires some 



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