The Naturalist's Library: Hamilton, R. The natural history of the ordi

Cover
W. H. Lizars, 1837
 

Andere Ausgaben - Alle anzeigen

Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen

Beliebte Passagen

Seite 172 - Straits, whilst we are looking for them beneath the arctic circle, we hear that they have pierced into the opposite region of polar cold, that they are at the antipodes, and engaged under the frozen serpent of the South. Falkland Island, which seemed too remote and romantic an object for the grasp of national ambition, is but a stage and resting-place in the progress of their victorious industry.
Seite 172 - Nor is the equinoctial heat more discouraging to them, than the accumulated winter of both the poles. We know, that whilst some of them draw the line and strike the harpoon on the coast of Africa, others run the longitude, and pursue their gigantic game along the coast of Brazil. No sea but what is vexed by their fisheries. No climate that is not witness to their toils.
Seite 173 - Neither the perseverance of Holland, nor the activity of France, nor the dexterous and firm sagacity of English enterprise, ever carried this most perilous mode of hardy industry to the extent, to which it has been pushed by this recent people; a people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the bone of manhood.
Seite 88 - ... considerable velocity below the surface of the sea, with its jaws widely extended. A stream of water consequently enters its capacious mouth, and along with it, large quantities of water insects ; the water escapes again at the sides ; but the food is entangled and sifted, as it were, by the whalebone, which, from its compact arrangement, and the thick internal covering of hair, does not allow a particle the size of the smallest grain to escape.
Seite 89 - ... assists its flight, by taking it under her fin. ; and seldom deserts it while life remains. She is then dangerous to approach ; but affords frequent opportunities for attack. She loses all regard for her own safety, in anxiety for the preservation of her young — dashes through the midst of her enemies — despises the danger that threatens her — and even voluntarily remains with her offspring, after various attacks on herself from the harpoons of the fishers. In June 1811, one of my harpooners...
Seite 110 - ... over the stern, was thrown over the gunwale; its pressure in this unfavourable position so careened the boat, that the side sank below the water, and it began to fill. In this emergency the harpooner, who was a fine active fellow, seized the...
Seite 110 - In this emergency the harpooner, who was a fine active fellow, seized the bight of the line, and attempted to relieve the boat, by restoring it to its place ; but by some singular circumstance, which could not be accounted for, a turn, of the line flew over his arm, in an instant dragged him overboard, and plunged him under...
Seite 89 - Presently she arose close by the ' fast-boat;' and seizing the young one, dragged about a hundred fathoms of line out of the boat with remarkable force and velocity. Again she arose to the surface; darted furiously to and fro; frequently stopped short, or suddenly changed her direction, and gave every possible intimation of extreme agony. For a length of time she continued thus to act, though closely pursued by the boats; and, inspired with courage and resolution by her concern for her offspring,...
Seite 131 - It dived obliquely with such velocity, that 480 fathoms of line were withdrawn from the boat in about a minute of time. This whale was also lost by the breaking of the line.
Seite 133 - Train'd with inimitable skill to float, Each, balanced in his bubble of a boat, With dexterous paddle steering through the spray, With poised harpoon to strike his plunging prey; As though the skiff, the seaman, oar, and dart Were one compacted body, by one heart With instinct, motion, pulse...

Bibliografische Informationen