96 VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 



roofing their houses, and other domestic purposes ; 

 and fishing-rods of the best quality are made from 

 the whalebone.* 



The common whale, notwithstanding its mag- 

 nitude, swims with surprising agility, and gene- 

 rally against the wind. The flat position of its 

 tail enables it to ascend suddenly to the surface of 

 the water to breathe, which it is frequently oblig- 

 ed to do. Whales are very harmless and timid ; 

 but, when attacked, frequently strike the boats a 

 dangerous blow with their tails, in which their 

 greatest strength lies. About midsummer, when 

 they begin to couple, they are very wild, and diffi- 

 cult to catch, unless harpooned during copulation,f 

 or when found sleeping on the water. 



Their fidelity to each other is said to be very great. 

 Anderson tells us, that having struck one of two 

 whales, a male and female, that were in company, 

 the wounded fish made a long and terrible resistance; 

 it struck down a boat with three men in it, with a 

 single blow of the tail, by which all went to the 

 bottom : The other fish attended its companion, 

 and lent it every assistance, till, at last, the fish that 



• * Compare Fab. de Bat Myst. with Arrian, Hist. Ind. § 29 

 and 30. 



f Congreditur corpore erecto, capite supra aquam promlnente. 



Faun. Groenl. loc. cit. 



