WHALING AND BEAR-HUNTING 235 



Some whales " tail up " before a long dive ; some more, 

 some less ; some finners only do this A dive after showing 

 several times and blasting B. But these narwhals show 

 their dumpy feeble tail, C, as also does the sperm D, before 



Sperm breaching 



the long dive. The rorquals' tails are magnificent ap- 

 pendages, and it is often thrown clear of the sea when such 

 a whale is " fast " or harpooned E. The sperm can make a 



Small Finner Reaping 



big swipe with his tail ; it is apparently more elastic in the 

 spine than the finner. To see a sperm breaching is a fine 

 sight ; he runs fast along the surface, every second leaping 

 clear out, or at least going, as it were, on his tail, and thumps 



