HISTORY OF THE WHALE 
9 
of the sea-bird upon its peculiar element, and are 
managed and turned by the steersman and five strong 
rowers, with amazing dexterity. When cruising, the 
Greenlanders have the captain or other officer sta- 
tioned in a little box, called the crow’s nest, on the 
main top. Protected, as far as he can be protected, 
when the thermometer indicates a temperature ran- 
ging from 10° to 30° below zero, with his telescope 
he descries the whale, and guides the ship through 
the perilous icy channels. 
The method of taking the whale is nearly as fol- 
lows : The whale is compelled to come frequently to 
the surface, for the purpose of breathing. The near- 
est boat approaches from behind, from which the 
harpoon is launched into the huge carcass. This it 
is almost impossible to disengage, it being provided 
with two strong barbs. If not instantly killed, the 
whale sinks, and sinks often to a great depth. Ex- 
hausted by the superincumbent pressure of the water, 
he sometimes comes up dead. Frequently he sinks 
