184 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
rels of oil. The throat is small for so vast a fish, 
being seldom more than four inches wide. 
4. In the middle of the head are two orifices, 
through which it spouts water to a great height, with 
considerable noise. The Whale varies in colour, 
the backs of some being red, of others black, and of 
others quite white ; the belly is generally white. 
5. Whales are shy and timid, being furnished with 
no instrument of offence or defence except the tail. 
When they see a boat approaching, they generally 
dive ; but sometimes, when in danger, they rush 
against a boat, and dash it in pieces with one stroke 
of the tail. 
6. Many ships from Europe and the United States 
are employed in the Whale-fisheries. Each ship 
carries six or seven boats ; each boat has one har- 
pooner, one man to steer, one manager of the line, 
and four seamen to row. 
7. In each boat there are several harpoons and 
lances, and a line of about seven hundred fathoms in 
length. Thus prepared, they attack the Whale. 
8. As soon as the Whale is struck with the har- 
poon, he darts into the deep, dragging along with 
him the harpoon and the line attached to it. If the 
line were to become entangled, it would either snap 
like a thread, or overset the boat. 
9. One man, therefore, is stationed to see that the 
line goes regularly out, and another is employed in 
wetting the place where it runs out, that the wood 
may not take fire from the friction. 
10. On the Whale’s return to breathe, the har- 
What is the character of the Whale ? How does it defend it- 
self? Describe the manner of taking the Whale. 
