WHALE-TAILED MAN ATI*' Itt 
Kamptschatka, unless driven there by a tempest 
They are always found in herds. The old ones 
keep behind, and drive the young before them ; > 
and some go along the sides,, by way of protection* 
On the rising of the tide they approach the shores* 
and are so tame as to suffer themselves to be 
handled. They live in families near one another, 
each consisting of a male and female, a half 
grown young one, and a new born cub ; and these 
families often unite so as to form vast droves. 
In their manners they are*peaceable and harmless* 
and bear the strongest attachment to each other. 
When one is hooked, the whole herd will attempt 
its rescue ; some will striveto overset the boat by 
going beneath it ; others will fling themselves on 
the rope of the hook, and press it down in order to 
break it ; and others again will make the utmost 
efforts to wrench the instrument out of the body 
of their wounded companion. 
In their conjugal affection, if such it may be 
termed, they are most exemplary. • A male, after 
having used all his endeavours to release his mate, 
which had been struck, pursued her to the very 
edge of the water ; and no blows that were given, 
could force him away. As long as the deceased 
female continued in the water, he persisted in 
his attendance ; and even for three days after 
€tie was drawn on shore, cut up, and carried 
away, he was observed to remain in expectation of 
her return. 
They are taken by a great hook fastened to a 
long rope. The strongest man in the boat strikes 
the instrument into the nearest animal ; which be- 
ing done, twenty or thirty people on shore seize 
the rope, and with the greatest difficulty drag it on 
shore. The poor creature makes the strongest re- 
sistance, assisted by its faithful companions. It will 
eling with its feet to the rocks till it leaves the skin 
VOL. l B A & 
