FIN WHALES. 
79 
birds, attracted to the spot by the tempting prospect 
of a feast. These dainty-looking denizens of the air 
squabble and fight amongst themselves for every 
morsel as it becomes detached from the skin, in the 
ugly and offensive process of “ flencing.” But there 
are other guests at the feast who are much more repul¬ 
sive-looking and add another element to the sickening 
operation—we mean the savage and greedy sharks, 
who have long since commenced the banquet while the 
whale was still submerged “ full fathom five/ 7 These 
horrid monsters of the sea make sad havoc with their 
cruel fangs as they dig into the flesh, and even now 
seem loath to part with what they consider their right¬ 
ful perquisite, daring even to contend with the busy 
sailors who are armed with the sharp flencing tools. 
Often and often the men have to desist from their 
labour to drive away these frightful assailants, and 
so unwilling are they to forego the meal once tasted, 
that sometimes a shark, more greedy than his cruel¬ 
eyed companions, will receive what would seem a 
mortal thrust, and after a momentary dive will 
appear again amongst his fellows struggling with 
