129 
\ 
as a perquisite to furnish her Majesty’s 
wardrobe with whalebone. A strong proof 
of the ignorance that had at that time 
prevailed respecting this animal. 
The flesh of the whale is variously pre¬ 
pared by the Greenlanders, and is used 
either when newly catched, or when sub- 
putrid. The skin, tail, and fins, they eat 
raw : the blubber is used either as food, 
or in lamps: they dress the intestines 
like those of the seal. The tendons serve 
them as thread for nets. The bones serve 
as timber for roofing their houses, and 
other domestic purposes; and fishing- 
rods of the best quality are made from 
the whalebone. # 
The common whale, notwithstanding 
its magnitude, swims with surprising agi¬ 
lity, and generally against the wind. The 
flat situation of its tail enables it to as- 
* Compare Fab. de Bal. Myst. with Arrian, 
Hist. Xnd. § 29 and 30. 
J 
