THE WHALE FISHERY. 255 



The system of manufacturing the modified forms is for the most part based npou the principles 

 embodied in the Brand lance, differing, however, in the internal detonating mechanism. 



The magazines, or shells, of the Brand lances are cast iron, annealed, cast with heads or 

 points which have three cutting edges, and resemble in appearance an engraver's scraper. This 

 lance is exploded by a time-fuse ignited by the detonation of a primer, to which tire is communi- 

 cated by a firing-pin, the latter being operated upon by the discharge of the gun. The wings are 

 of vulcanized rubber. 



The shell or chamber of the Pierce lance is composed of seamless brass-tubing; the instru- 

 ment has metal wings; the internal operative mechanisia-for exploding the lance is placed in or 

 near the anterior end, and the explosion is caused by the concussion of the discharge of the gun, 

 which ignites a time-fuse by means of a percussion cap. 



The Cunningham & Cogau lance is composed of iron piping, to which Is affixed (screwed) a 

 malleable cast-iron poiut with three cutting edges. The instrument has rubber wings, and is 

 exploded by a time-fuse ignited by a central-fire cartridge rigidly fixed to the lance and forming a 

 part of it. 



The above lances differ in their internal construction and arrangement ; and, with the excep- 

 tion of the Brand No. 4, which is especially designed for Greener's swivel-gun, they may be used 

 in connection with the shoulder-guns. 



The Allen lance prevented the egress of water by the issue of flame in its rear caused by the 

 burning of the fuse; the present lances are rendered impervious to water, either by tight screw- 

 joints or by being hermetically sealed. 



Pierce's and Cunningham's lances weigh, each, 1J pounds, and the Brand No. 2 (new model, 

 for example) li pounds. These weights do not include the amount of powder required for the 

 charges. 



The retail price of the Brand lance is from $3 to $5 each : the sizes are determined by 

 numbers varying from one to four, inclusive. The charge for the smallest size is 1 ounce and 5 

 drams of powder. The Cunningham lance is 17 inches long and sells at retail lor $3. Two 

 ounces of powder constitute a charge for the magazine or bomb, and 3 drams for a cartridge. 

 The Pier.ee bomb is 19 inches long, and the charge 2 ounces and 4 drams of powder. 



All of the bomb-lances are cylindro-couoidal in shape, and the mechanism for exploding the 

 magazines is always concealed. The powder is fired by a fuse ignited by coucussive force or by 

 the flash of the gun when discharged. Explosive lances, called " darting-bombs," without wings 

 are used in connection with the darting-gun. They are 14 or 16 inches long, and made of brass 

 tubing or malleable cast-iron piping. 



5. THE METHODS OF CAPTURE ; ACCIDENTS. 



RAISING WHALES.* When cruising for whales, watches, consisting of the mates, boat- 

 steerers, and foremast hands, are stationed at the lookouts, standing upon the cross-trees and 

 supporting themselves by iron hoops find the rigging at the main top if rugged weather, and at 

 the mainroyal or maintop-gallant if smooth weather. The men "stand their mast-heads from sun 

 to sun," being relieved every two hours. In the southern fishery they stand usually on the horns, 

 the projecting ends of the cross-trees, and sometimes on small planks which are placed across the 

 projecting ends ; but in the Arctic regions they stand in a " crow's-nest" made of canvas, painted so 



'The, whalemen are "quaint compoimdors of expressions," and as these expressions are singularly pertinent 

 and remarkable for their terseness, I propose to employ them as head-lines for the different subjects in this part of 

 my report. The idioms peculiar to whalemen are as legitimate perhaps as the provincial or national idiou.s, and 

 justice could not bo done the subject if ilicy were omitted. 



