GREAT MYSTICETE. 489 



to appear on a cursory view as if coated with 

 large scales, with a vessel near it with harpooners. 

 See, over which is the observation of sailors often 

 mistaking a whale for an island, and thus endan- 

 gering themselves by attempting to anchor upon 

 it. As the general learning and extensive read- 

 ing of our great poet are so well known, it can 

 hardly be doubted that he was conversant with 

 the writings of Gesner, whose work was then the 

 great depository of natural knowledge, and that 

 the figure and description there given left a last- 

 ing impression on his mind." 



The Whale is taken by being struck with har- 

 poons by several persons who pursue him in boats, 

 arranging themselves according to circumstances, 

 and wounding the animal repeatedly, till faint with 

 loss of blood, he at length expires, and lies floating 

 on the surface. The harpoon is a sharp iron in the 

 form of an arrow head, fixed to a rod, and fur- 

 nished with a vast length of line of proper strength. 

 The wounded Whale swims away, often drawing 

 both line and boat after him as swift as the wind, 

 spouting the water with violence, and tinging the 

 sea all around with his blood. The noise, says 

 Martens, may be heard as far as a cannon, but 

 after having received several wounds at different 

 intervals, it grows weaker, till at length it re- 

 sembles that of the wind blowing slightly into 

 an empty vessel. This is a dangerous occupa- 

 tion, and requires great dexterity on. the part of 

 the adventurers. A long-boat, according to 

 « our author, he valueth no more than dust, for 



