202 ZOOLOGY. 



CHAPTER V. 

 PURSUIT AND CAPTURE OF THE SPERM WHALE, 



The whaler's system of attack Conduct of the whale when harpooned 

 Difficulties that oppose the Sperm- Whaler's success Intelligent 

 attempts on the part of whales to assist each other Number of 

 Cachalots usually obtained at one " lowering" Custom of 

 " drogueing " Extraordinary power this whale displays in 

 carrying off heavy and resisting bodies Sinking whales Method 

 of " cutting in" Voracity of sharks and ocean-birds Process of 

 boiling, or " trying out" The fuel employed Impressive spectacle 

 presented by a ship's " try ing- out " at night Dangers of the 

 process Stowing the oil. 



THE extensive view of the surrounding ocean com- 

 manded from the mast-head of a South-Seaman, en- 

 ables the whaler to detect early, and at a considerable 

 distance, the more common indications of his prey, as 

 floating fragments of cuttle-fish, broad oily tracks, or 

 <e sleeks" on the surface of the water, (produced by the 

 recent passage of a party of cetaceans,) or " breaches 5 ' 

 and " spouts." 



The appearance of a spouting or breaching whale is 

 announced by the cry " there she blows ! " or " there 

 she breaches!" (the feminine being applied as the 

 epicene gender of whales,) and these exclamations are 

 repeated as often as the phenomena are exhibited, un- 

 less " there again !" should be substituted, for the sake 

 of variety or brevity.* 



* It was formerly the custom in this fishery to announce the spouting 

 of a whale by the cry of " Town, Oh ! " which, although not very clear 

 in its derivation or meaning, is yet employed by some amongst the crew 

 of a whale ship, when seeking turtle, &c. on shore, to announce the view 

 of a prize, and establish an individual claim to the discovery. 



