102 PROCEEDINGS IN 



friction of the line r when running round the bollard, 

 that it frequently envelopes the harpooner in smoke ; 

 and if the wood were not repeatedly wetted, it 

 would set fire to the boat. Notwithstanding this 

 manoeuvre, the line is often run out in eight or ten 

 minutes ; its end is then attached to the lines of the 

 next boat, and even those of a third are sometimes 

 put into requisition. When the crew of a boat see 

 there is a prospect of their own store being ex- 

 hausted, they hold up one, two, three, or more oars, 

 according to the urgency of the required aid ; for if 

 none arrives, there is only one resource left, which 

 is to cut the line, and thus lose it, fish and all. 



The period during which a wounded whale re- 

 mains under water is various, but, at an average, 

 may be stated at half an hour. It is sometimes an 

 hour, and more rarely longer still ; and it has been 

 asserted, on good authority, that a case has occurred 

 of a wounded whale being dragged up alive after 

 having been an hour and a half continually under 

 water ; a singular fact, certainly, in the history of 

 warm-blooded animals. When it remains long under 

 water, it becomes asphyxiated or nearly drowned, 

 and in all instances is greatly exhausted for want 

 of fresh air, and by means of the enormous pres- 

 sure, equal according to Mr. Scorseby to upwards 

 of 200,000 tons, which exceeds the weight of sixty of 

 the largest ships of the British Navy, when manned, 

 provisioned, and fitted for a six months cruise. 



When the fast fish is under water, the assisting 

 boats take up those positions near to which they cal- 



