WHALEBONE WHALES. i1 
Peterhead and Dundee. From information given by Capt. Gray to Mr. T. South- 
well, it appears that between the years 1788 and 1879 no less than four thousand 
one hundred and ninety-five whales were killed by the Peterhead vessels; while 
between 1790 and 1879 four thousand two hundred and twenty were accounted for 
by those sailing from Dundee. When we add to these the numbers killed by the 
whalers of other nations, it is not surprising to learn that the Greenland whale has 
now become a comparatively scarce animal. In the year 1891 only seventeen 
whales were captured by the Scotch whalers, and these were of comparatively 
small size, yielding whalebone of less than six feet in length. It has, indeed, been 
supposed that the species is either well-nigh exterminated, or has been driven north¬ 
ward beyond its ancient haunts. Neither of these suppositions appear, however, to 
be true, for it is now ascertained that the whales have not altered their original lines 
of migration, while so late as 1891 considerable numbers were seen in the Green¬ 
land seas. Writing on this subject, Mr. Southwell expresses his belief that the 
want of success experienced of late years by the whalers is “ mainly owing to the 
introduction of steam, which enables the modern ships to follow the whales in 
localities where formerly they would have been safe from molestation. The rattle 
of the screw also, which can be heard by the whales for long distances, is now to 
them a well-known sound; above all, the eagerness with which they are followed 
up—all the vessels consorting together—has at length rendered them so wild as to 
be practically unapproachable. Even now, however, it appears quite possible that 
a vessel approaching their haunts alone, and in the quiet manner which prevailed 
before the introduction of steam, might be rewarded by the success of old. 
Certainly the fishery appears to be in a hopeless condition at present (1892); but 
it is possible that a few years’ rest might restore the confidence of the whales, and 
that, if then pursued with due caution by a limited number of vessels, paying 
cargoes might again be obtained.” 
The method of capturing whales has been so frequently described, that it will 
be unnecessary to do more than briefly allude to it here. In former days the 
actual pursuit of the whale was always made in open boats, and the harpoon, with 
the line attached, thrown by hand; the animal being subsequently despatched by 
long sharp weapons known as lances. Later on, a harpoon-gun was substituted 
for the thrower; while at the present day the ships themselves are in some cases 
used in the attack, and the employment of open boats dispensed with. The vessels 
thus employed are mounted with a massive and elaborately constructed gun fixed 
in the boat upon a swivel support. The gunner takes his stand upon a platform, 
which is furnished with wings overlapping the small angle of the bows, and thus 
allowing him plenty of room to move freely. The projectile is a harpoon, armed 
with movable flukes, and containing an explosive in the head. When fired, the 
flukes lie flat on the sides of the harpoon, but on entering the flesh of the whale 
they open out so as to form a grapnel in its body; while the act of expansion also 
fires the explosive, by which the animal, if hit anywhere near a vital part, is 
generally killed outright. 
Although the whale of the North Atlantic has been separated 
Southern Whale. ^ & ( q s ^ nct s p ec i es f rom the one inhabiting the southern part of 
that ocean, while those of the North and South Pacific have likewise received 
