POTWAL. 



CHAPTER X. 



WHALES— THE MONARGHS OF THE OCEAN. 



all the industrial pursuits which engage the 

 venturous seaman on the wide ocean, those 

 connected with the capture of the Whale, — 



"the mightiest that swims the ocean stream," 



and, it may be said, in point of dimensions 

 the monarch also of creation, — are the most exciting and 

 perilous ; requiring the greatest endurance, hardihood and 

 courage, and at the same time yielding, under favorable cir- 

 cumstances, a substantial return for the dangers encountered. 



Before relating some of the exciting adventures which 

 occur in the pursuit and capture of the unfortunate whales, 

 a few particulars will be given about the animals them- 

 selves. 



There are many peculiarities to be observed in these huge 

 monarchs of the ocean. They comprise a class of animated 



