220 The Natural History 



Shoar, which frequently happens to their great advantage and 

 Profit. For which Reason abundance of Inhabitants dwell 

 upon the Banks near the Sea for that Intent, and the benefit 

 of AVrecks of Vessels which are sometimes driven in upon 

 these Coasts. IS^ot many Years ago there were two Boats that 

 came from the Northward to Ocacock Island, to fish, and car- 

 ried away that Season Three Hundred and Forty Barrels of 

 Oil, beside the Bone, but these Fishermen going away with- 

 out paying the Tenths to the Governor, they never appeared 

 to fish on these Coasts afterwards, or any other that I ever 

 could hear of. I only mention this to shew with what Ad- 

 vantage the Fishing for Whales might be carried on here, 

 when only one Tryal carried off so rich and valuable a Cargoe. 



There are four sorts of Whales in these parts : The first 

 is the Sperma-Ceti Whale, from whence the Spei^ma-Ceti is 

 taken, and is the most choice for its rich and valuable Com- 

 modities. These sort are sometimes found on this Coast, and 

 are a rich Prize to those that are so fortunate as to find them. 

 The other sorts are of a prodigious large size, and it is of these 

 the Bone and Oil are made, the Oil being only the Blubber 

 or Oily Flesh or Fat of this Fish boiled. These differ not 

 only in Colour, some being all White, others pied, and others 

 not, but likewise very much in Shape, one being called the 

 Bottle-Nose, and the other the Shovel-Nose, which is as dif- 

 ferent as a Salmon from a Sturgeon. 



These Fish are never found dead or floating to the Shear 

 with their Tongues in their Heads, for it is the opinion of 

 many in these parts, that the Thrashers and Sword-Fish, 

 (which are mortal Enemies to the Whales where ever they 

 meet them) eat the Tongue out of their Head, as soon as they 



have 



