46 31 All IN E 3IA3I3IALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 



courso depends much on the depth of water and the solidity of the animal's forma- 

 tion ; some individuals remaining but a few hours on the bottom, while others will 

 remain down for two or tlireo days at the same depth. We have known many 

 whales to be recovered when sunk in from forty to sixty fithoms of water. The 

 modus ojKrandh in hauling these decomposing suljjects to the surface is this : If the 

 water is rough, the line is taken into the bow -chocks* of the boat; then uniting 

 two crews in the after part of one boat, tliey cither haul on the line by liand, or 

 with a tackle, until the boat's bow is nearly submerged, or the whale is lifted ; or, 

 if in a smooth bay, two boats are sometimes used, by lajdng a spar across both, 

 and talving the line between them over the spar, whicli serves as a sort of windlass 

 purchase. If the dead animal lias been long down, in a considerable depth, care is 

 taken to avoid its coming up under the boat ; for as the carcass nears the surface, 

 its velocity is so much accelerated, that in some instances the animal rises with a 

 bound which equals its sprightliesfc actions before life became extinct. 



The megapteras are captured by the Indians of the North-western Coast, and 

 the Esquimaux about the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in the same manner as the 

 California Grays, as has been described in the opening chapter of this work ; and 

 the natives of the Aleutian Islands pursue them, as well as other rorquals. When 

 a whale is seen, the haidarha (skin -boat) is launched and manned by two or three 

 men, and a spirited chase ensues. When close to the object of pursuit, their toy- 

 like harpoons are liurled into the animal. This, however, does not insure an im- 

 mediate capture; but their weapons, which are pointed with glass or flint- stone, 

 and barbed with bone, are so fashioned, that, as the wounded creature writhes in 

 its agony, every naotion tends to work the tortuous instrument farther in ; and at 

 last the fatal work is accomplished. Each whaler's spear has his own private 

 mark, and should the prize be found by others, they seek to ascertain by this 

 means the rightful owners, who by their laws or customs are entitled to the booty 

 wherever it may be found. 



The best points for Humpback whaling on the coast have been Magdalena, 

 Balenas, and Monterey bays ; but, since the acquisition of Alaska, numerous places 

 have been found in the bays and about the islands of that Territory, whicli doubt- 

 less in the future will become profitable whaling stations. Several bays around the 

 Aleutian Archipelago, bordering on Behring Sea, may be indicated as likely to be 

 valuable for this business. 



*Tlie bow-chocks are two pieces of wood boat; between these chocks is a metallic roller, 

 fastened upon each side of the stem of the over which the whale -line runs. 



