THE HUMPBACK WUALE. 45 



grations with the rest of its wandering companions, and the time of passing 

 Point Pinoii (the outer headland of the bay), was ascertained to be during or 

 near the niontli of September. Repeated efforts were made, from year to year, 

 to capture the member of the "gam" thus distinguished by a white hump; but 

 it was only when the bomb -gun and bomb - lance had come into use that its 

 destruction was effected. The animal proved to be of enormous size, but its 

 product of oil was comparatively small, amounting only to about eighty - five 

 barrels. 



After many years' study of the characteristic habits of the Humpback, we be- 

 lieve that the females of this species resort in large numbers to favorite inland 

 waters, connected with the ocean, to bring forth tlieir young ; l:)ut tliere are many 

 exceptions to this rule, incident to their roving dispositi(jn. They are found on 

 different coasts in all accessiljlo latitudes, from the new-born calf to the extremely 

 aged. In their wanderings, they are addicted, more than any other rorqual, to 

 "breaching," "bolting," and "finning." In the mating season they are noted for 

 their amorous antics. At such times their caresses are of the most amusini;- and 

 novel character, and these performances liave doulitloss given rise to the fabulous 

 talcs of the sword-fish and thrasher attackiug whales. "When lyiug by the side of 

 each other, the megapteras frecpiently administer alternate Idows with their long 

 fins, wliicli love -pats may, on a still day, be heard at a distance of miles. They 

 also rub each other with these same huge and fifjxible arms, rolling occasionally 

 from side to side, and indulging in other gamljols wliich can easier be imagined 

 than described. The time of gestation is not Icnown ; Imt in all probability it is 

 the same as that of other large Cetaceans, not ox<;eeding ton or twelve months. 

 The calf, when brought forth, is about one-fourth the length of the dam ; and it 

 suckles Ijy holding the teat between the extremity of the jaws or lips, while the 

 mother reclines a little on one side ; raising the posterior portion of her form 

 nearly out of water, and lying in a relaxed condition. This peculiar manner of 

 suckling the young appears to be common to all the whaleljone whales. In tliis 

 way two calves would be enaljled to obtain their nourishment at the same time. 



The Humpbacks are captured with a common hand -harpoon and lance, or 

 "Greener's Harpoon Gun," and the bomb -lance, by the whaleship's crew; and as 

 they arc very liable to sink when dead, every exertion is made to get the har- 

 poon in, with line attached, before the bomlj-gun is discharged. Then, if the crea- 

 ture goes to the bottom, a buoy is attached to the end of the line, or a boat lies 

 by it, until the decomposition of its flesh has generated suflicient gas to allow the 

 animal to be drawn up. The length of time that elapses before this takes place of 



