TAI MYSTIC Eli:. 489 



ppoar on a cursory view as it' coated with 

 largo scales, \\ith a vessel near it with harpooners, 

 Sir. <>ver \\hich is tin- observation of Bailors often 

 mistaking a whale tor an island, and thus endan- 

 gering themselves hv attempting to anclior upon 

 it. As tlie general learning and extensive read- 

 ing of our great poet are so well known, it can 

 hardly be doubted that he was conversant witli 

 the writings of (iesner, whose work was then the 

 great depository of natural knowledge, and that 

 the figure and description there given left a last- 

 ing impression on hi.s mind." 



The Whale is taken by being struck with har- 

 poons by several persons who pursue him in boats, 

 arranging themselves according to circumstance, 

 and wounding the animal repeatedly, till faint with 

 loss of blood, he at length expires, and lies floating 

 on the surface. The harpoon is a sharp iron in the. 

 form of an arrow head, fixed to a rod, and fur- 

 nished with a vast length of line of proper strength. 

 The wounded Whale swims away, often drawing 

 both line and boat after him as swift as the wind, 

 spouting the water with violence, and tinging the 

 sea all around with his blood. The noise, - 

 Martens, may be heard as far as a cannon, but 

 after having received several wounds at different 

 intervals, it grows weaker, till at length it re- 

 sembles that of the wind blowing slightly into 

 an empty vessel. This is a dangerous occupa- 

 tion, and requires great dexterity on the part of 

 the adventurers. A long-boat, according to 

 our author, " he valueth no more than dust, for 



