THE COMMON WHALE. 9 



decrease in the quantity of oil, and an increase in 

 the hardness of the blubber. It is supposed to 

 attain a great age. 



The natural affection of this species is interesting. 

 The cub being insensible to danger is easily har- 

 pooned, when the attachment of the mother is so 

 manifested, as to bring it almost certainly within 

 the reach of the whalers. Hence, though the cub 

 is of little value, yet it is often struck as a snare 

 for the mother. In this case s}ie joins it at the 

 surface whenever it has occasion to rise for respi- 

 ration, encourages it to swim off, and seldom de- 

 serts it while life remains. She is then dangerous 

 to approach, but affords frequent opportunities of 

 attack. She loses all regard for her own safety in 

 anxiety for the preservation of her young, dashes 

 through the midst of her enemies, despises the 

 danger that threatens her, and even voluntarily 

 remains with her offspring after various attacks on 

 herself. In 1811, says Mr. Scorseby, one of my 

 harpooners struck a sucker, with the hope of lead- 

 ing to the capture of the mother. Presently she 

 arose close by the " fast boat," and seizing the young- 

 one, dragged about six-hundred feet of line out of 

 the boat with remarkable force and velocity. Again 

 she rose to the surface, darted furiously to and 

 fro, frequently stopt short or suddenly changed 

 her direction, and gave every possible intimation of 

 extreme agony. For a length of time she continued 

 thus to act, though closely pursued by the boats ; 

 and inspired with courage and resolution by her 



