A.PPENDIX. 
207 
of itself, I venture to assert, be no slight improvement. 
It is well known frequently to happen, especially in what 
are called slack-backed fish, that the spasmodic convulsion 
and contraction, which attend the stroke of the harpoon, 
is instantly followed by a violent heaving and distention of 
the part, by which the wound is presented twice as wide as 
the barbs of the instrument which made it, and is there- 
fore often cast back out of it. A great many fish have 
thus escaped, as I have already had occasion to observe. 
I trust, therefore, I shall not be thought presumptuous, 
when I say, that, if I obviated this risque alone, (which 
I am confident I have done,) my harpoon would merit a 
preference to all hitherto in use. 
To the letter which Captain Scoresby so politely sent me, 
he added, in the most handsome manner, the gratifying 
present of his account of the Arctic Regions, with a history 
and description of the Northern Whale Fishery ; a work, 
to which the deep science and long experience of the author 
have combined to give the utmost value ; and I gladly avail 
myself of it, as the highest authority both to corroborate 
what I had before stated on the subject, and to give weight 
to some further observations. 
Captain Scoresby remarks, that “ there is a great diffi- 
culty, in calm clear weather, to approach a whale near 
enough to be struck by the hand.” 
“ In calm clear weather, the whales take the alarm, 
when boats approach within fifteen or twenty yards of 
them.” 
“ Much address is requisite to get near enough for the 
harpooner to strike a fish by the hand ; and, if it indicates 
an intention of diving before the boat is near enough for 
that purpose, the harpoon is thrown by the hand, which a 
skilful man would accomplish at a distance of eight to ten 
yards. 
It must be concluded from these remarks, that, in calm 
