ORDER VI. THE CETACEA. 251 



but, at an average, may be stated at half an lioiir. It is sometimes an hour, 

 and more rarely longer still ; and it has been asserted, on good authority, 

 that a case has occurred of a wounded whale l)eing dragged up alive after 

 having been an liour and a half continually under water — a singular fact, 

 certainh', in the history of warm-blooded animals. When it remains long 

 under water, it becomes asphyxiated or nearly drowned, and in all instances 

 is greatly exhausted for want of fresh air, and by means of the enormous 

 pressure, equal, according to j\Ir. Scorseby, to upwards of two hundred 

 thousand tons, which exceeds the weight of sixty of the largest ships of war, 

 when manned, provisioned, and fitted for a six months' cruise. 



When the whale is under water, the assisting boats take up those positions 

 near to which they calculate he is most likely to rise, in order that one of 

 them at least may be within a start, as it is called ; that is, within two hun- 

 dred yards of his place of reappearing, at which distance they can easily reach 

 him before he is prepared to descend again. On its rising, they hasten to 

 the spot, and as they reach it, each harpooner plunges his weapon into its 

 back, to the amount of three, four, or more, according to the size of the whale 

 and the nature of the situation. ]\Iost frequently, however, the animal de- 

 scends a few minutes after recei^■ing the second harpoon, and obliges the other 

 boats to await its return to the surface before any further attack can be made. 

 After this it is actively plied with long and sharp lances, which are 

 thrust into its body, and aimed deep into its vitals. At length, when ex- 

 liausted with numerous wounds and the loss of blood, which flows in eopinus 

 streams, it indicates the approach of dissolution by discharging blood from 

 the spiracles, along with the air and mucus, and finally jets of blood alone 

 appear. The sea to a great extent is dyed with the blood, and the ice, boats, 

 and men, are sometimes drenched with it. Its track is likewise marked by 

 a broad pellicle of oil, which exudes from its wouuds, and appears on the 

 surface of the sea. The final c;iptarc is sometimes preceded by a convulsive 

 and awful struggle, and in dying it turns over on its side or back ; which 

 jovful circumstance is announced by loud huzzas. No time is lost ere the 

 tail is pierced and fastened with ropes to the boats, which drag the carcass to 

 the ship amidst shouts of triumph. 



After a whale has been caught and secured at the sides of the ship, the 

 next operation is that of " flensing," or securing the blubber and whalebone. 

 This disagreeable process can, with the whole strength of the crew, be effected 

 in about four hours. The huge carcass is somewhat extended by strong 

 tackles placed at the snout and tail. A band of blubber, two or three feet in 

 width, encircling the body at what is the neck in other animals, is called the 

 "kcnt," because by means of it the whale is turned over, or "kented." 

 To this band is fixed the lower extremity of a combination of powerful blocks. 



