48 
MAMMALIA. 
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differ from the Right Whale more than do the Rorquals, and 
which also yield great quantities of oil. It is probably thus that 
we must explain, according to M. Gervais, the assertions borrowed 
from the chroniclers of that period, that they consumed Whale oil 
in the monasteries on the French coast; that the churches of 
St. Bertin and of St. Omer levied a contribution on each Whale ; 
that the Abbey of Caen laid a tithe on all the Whales caught at 
Dives ; and the Church of Coutances on all the whale-boats brought 
into Merri. 
After this historical account, we will describe the Whale fishery — 
a so-called fishery, so different from all others ; for an immense gain 
is at stake and an immense risk is run. W e will begin by describing 
the process the most anciently employed, and, as we may call it, 
Fig. 13.— Harpooning tlie Wliale. 
the classical process ; we will then point out a new method which 
appears perfectly to answer the exigencies of the present day. 
The whaling ships which belong to France, to England, to the 
United States, &c., are each of them always accompanied by five or 
six boats. The boats are generally four-oared, and carry besides 
the four rowers, a harpooner and an officer. 
When they have arrived in those latitudes where they hope to 
find Whales, a man is posted on the look-out on some high part of 
the ship, from which he can see to a long distance. The moment 
he perceives a Whale, he gives the signal agreed upon beforehand, 
and the boats are launched. In the bows of each of them stands 
the harpooner ; at the stern is the officer. Both, with fixed eye 
