48 



MAMMALIA. 



differ from tlie Right Whale more than do the Rorquals, and 

 which also yield great quantities of oil. It is probably thus that 

 we must explain, according to M. Gervais, the assertions borrowed 

 from the chroniclers of that period, that they consumed Whale oil 

 in the monasteries on the French coast ; that the churches of 

 St. Bertin and of St. Omar levied a contribution on each Whale ; 

 that the Abbey of Caen laid a tithe on aU the "Whales caught at 

 Dives ; and the Church of Coutances on all the whale-boats brought 

 into Merri. 



After this historical account, we will describe the "Whale fishery — 

 a so-called fishery, so different from all others ; for an immense gain 

 is at stake and an immense risk is run. We will begin by describing 

 the process the most anciently employed, and, as we may call it. 



rig. lo. — Hiirpoimiii^' the Whale. 



the classical process ; we will then point out a new method which 

 appears perfectly to answer the exigencies of the present day. 



The whaling ships which belong to France, to England, to the 

 United States, &c., are each of them always accompanied by five or 

 six boats. The boats are generally four-oared, and carry besides 

 the four rowers, a harpooner and an officer. 



T^Hicn they have arrived in those latitudes where they hope to 

 find Whales, a man is posted on the look-out on some high part of 

 the ship, from which he can see to a long distance. The moment 

 he perceives a "Whale, he gives the signal agreed upon beforehand, 

 and the boats are launched. In the bows of each of them stands 

 the harpooner ; at the stern is the ofiicer. Both, with fixed eye 



