APPENDIX. 
211 
evident advantage of a harpoon propelled by the pov^erful 
influence of powder, over that projected from the hand. 
I have repeatedly asked, whether it was ever known that a 
whale had been imtantly killed by the stroke of a hand 
harpoon? The answer has been invariably. No. But 
when I have demanded, whether such a case had ever 
occurred with the gun harpoon, the reply has been, That 
such instances were frequent ; and some of my informants 
were the very persons who had inflicted the deadly wound. 
This clearly proves the want of sufficient projectile power 
in the hand, to reach the viscera of the fish ; and is very 
satisfactory on the decided advantage of the weapon pro- 
pelled from a gun. This important conclusion is confirmed 
by Captain Scoresby ; he says A hundred superficial 
wounds received by harpoons, could not have the effect of a 
single lance penetrating the vitals.” 
From these circumstances, I was naturally induced to 
suspect that the minds of those concerned in the use of 
the gun must be disposed to resist every attempt at im- 
provement, with an obstinate adherence to old customs, or 
must be swayed by those hostile impressions congenial to 
hearts, where self-interest is the ruling passion. Reflec- 
tions warned me to be circumspect into whose hands my 
instruments should be placed for trial, least some mis- 
management might annihilate its intention ; I well knew 
that many an useful invention has been thrown into dis- 
credit, from an unfavourable opinion being formed of its 
utility, by those deputed to apply it, and that after the 
failure of one experiment, it is difficult, if not impossible, 
to produce conviction by the success of future operations. 
To remove this apprehension, and to establish the con- 
fidence which I had formed of the utility of my invention, 
could, it appeared, be effected only by personal superin- 
tendence. I, therefore, at once determined manfully to 
encounter every inconvenience, by a voyage to Greenland, 
