Xy6 THE WHALE-TAILED MAN ATI. 



In their conjugal affection, if such it may be 

 termed, they are most exemplary. A male, after 

 having used all his endeavours to release his mate, 

 which had been struck, pursued her to the very 

 edge of the water ; and no blows that were given 

 could force him away. As long as the deceased 

 female continued in the water, he persisted in his 

 attendance ; and even for three days after she was 

 drawn on shore, cut up, and carried away, he was 

 observed to remain in expectation of her return. 



They are taken by a great hook fastened to a 

 long rope. The strongest man in the boat strikes 

 the instrument into the nearest animal ; which be- 

 ing done, tvN^enty or thirty people on shore seize 

 the rope, aiid with the greatest difficulty drag it on 

 shore. The poor creature makes the strongest re- 

 sistance, assisted by its faithful companions. It will 

 cling with its feet to the rocks till it leaves the skin 

 behind ; and often great fragments fly off before it 

 can be landed. " I once saw (says Dr. Grieve,) 

 some of the fisherm.en cut off the flesh from one of 

 them while it was alive, v.hich alt the while struck 

 the water with such force with its paws as entirely 

 to tear off the skin *." 



Their size is enormous, some of tliem being 

 twenty-eight feet long, ard we'ghing so much as 

 eight thousand pounds. — They are exceedingly vo- 

 racious, and feed on the difierent species of Fuci 

 that grow in the sea, and are driven to the ;^hore. 

 When filled they fall afkep on their backs. Dur- 



* Grieve, 12-1- Peun. Aict. Zobl. i, 177- 



