,MAMMALIA--WHALE, 4UD 
A late improvement has been made in the method of discharging the 
harpoon, namely, by shooting it ou: of a kind of swivel or musquetoon ; but 
it does not appear that since this improvement was made, the whale fishing 
ships aave had better success than before. 
The flesh of this animal is a dainty to some nations; and the savages 
af Greenland, as well as those near the south pole, are fond of it to distrae- 
tron. They eat the flesh, and drink the oil, which is a first-rate delicacy 
Tse nnding a dead whale is an adventure considered among the fortunate 
circumstances of their lives. They make their abode beside it ; and seldom 
remove till they have left nothing but the bones. 
