Oils from Marine Mammals. 



207 



of Tonsberg, the patentee of an improved kind of harpoon 

 employed in the whale fishery. It consists of a harpoon 

 with two movable barbs like the claws of an anchor, one on 

 each side. The harpoon is projected from a swivel gun 

 fixed on the bows of the vessel. The claws or barbs lie flat 

 against the stem while in the gun, and during its pro- 

 gress through the air and entrance into the body of the 

 fish ; but no sooner is the line attached to the harpoon 

 hauled upon, or the fish takes a start, than the claws or 

 barbs expand and become fixed at an angle of 45° on each 

 side, which effectually precludes the possibility of the har- 

 poon being withdrawn from the body of the fish. In 

 addition to this, a capsule containing an explosive sub- 

 stance is concealed in the harpoon, which by another 

 ingenious contrivance explodes, causing instant death. 

 The animal is then towed by the steamer to the factory, 

 where the usual flenching process commences ; and as 

 soon as completed, the residue of the huge animal is con- 

 verted into artificial manure (guano), by which the whole 

 carcase becomes utilized. Mr. Foyn employs two small 

 steamers, and in 1873 caught 38 whales. From the 

 effective means employed, it appears that he never loses 

 a whale after the harpoon has once entered the carcase, 

 the struggle seldom lasting above a few minutes after 

 the fish is struck before death ensues. The factory is 

 situated at the entrance to the Waranger Fiord, where the 

 process of utilization commences. This species differs from 

 the Greenland whale {Balcenopterd), and when full grown 

 exceeds it in size, as they have been caught 100 feet in 

 length, and the young when cast have been known to 

 reach 20 feet. In 1874 Mr. Foyn is reported to have 

 caught 50 whales, which were estimated to be worth from 

 ;^I50 sterHng each. 



