VOYAGE TO GREENLAND; 
45 
my inventions for an improved method of taking 
whales were adapted to their design/or, if not, what 
was required to render them effective. When I 
arrived on the deck, the whale had gone down ; 
and the ship was going in the direction of its last 
appearance, but in a few minutes, this monster of 
the deep, rose again, not three hundred yards from 
us. From the pointed part of the head, termed the 
crown, where the spiracles or blow-holes are situ- 
ated, a moist vapour was emitted to the height of 
several yards, and was accompanied by a noise, not 
unlike that of a powerful furnace blast. 
A long extent of the back was also exhibited, just 
above the surface of the water. After having rested 
in this state about three minutes, during which time 
it took several respirations, it reared its ponderous 
head, then sinking it under the water, raised its 
back, at least six feet, in the form of an arch, round- 
ing it towards the extremity. 
