Whalebone, as it is erroneously termed, is another valuable product of this fishery.

1. Greenland or right whale; 2. Spermaceti whale.

The whale-fins imported into the United Kingdom in the last ten years have been as follows:

A flourishing establishment has grown up in the vicinity of the small town of Vadsó, at the entrance of the Waranger Fiord, Norway, under the auspices of a Mr. Foyn,

of Tónsberg, the patentee of an improved kind of harpoon employed in the whale fishery. It consists of a harpoon. with two movable barbs like the claws of an anchor, one on each side. The harpoon is projected from a swivel gun fixed on the bows of the vessel. The claws or barbs lie flat against the stem while in the gun, and during its progress through the air and entrance into the body of the fish; but no sooner is the line attached to the harpoon hauled upon, or the fish takes a start, than the claws or barbs expand and become fixed at an angle of 45° on each side, which effectually precludes the possibility of the harpoon being withdrawn from the body of the fish. In addition to this, a capsule containing an explosive substance is concealed in the harpoon, which by another ingenious contrivance explodes, causing instant death. The animal is then towed by the steamer to the factory, where the usual flenching process commences; and as soon as completed, the residue of the huge animal is converted into artificial manure (guano), by which the whole carcase becomes utilized. Mr. Foyn employs two small steamers, and in 1873 caught 38 whales. From the effective means employed, it appears that he never loses a whale after the harpoon has once entered the carcase, the struggle seldom lasting above a few minutes after the fish is struck before death ensues. The factory is situated at the entrance to the Waranger Fiord, where the process of utilization commences. This species differs from the Greenland whale (Balanoptera), and when full grown exceeds it in size, as they have been caught 100 feet in length, and the young when cast have been known to reach 20 feet. In 1874 Mr. Foyn is reported to have caught 50 whales, which were estimated to be worth from £150 sterling each.

Porpoise Oil.-A fishery for the porpoise (Delphinus phocana) is carried on off the coasts of Trebizond; it is

taken in nets, and also shot. This fishery yields upwards of 700,000 lbs. of oil per annum, a portion of which is consumed by the lower classes for lighting, and the rest finds a market in Constantinople. Porpoises are also caught in large numbers in the Little Belt, Denmark, where 1500 to 2000 are frequently obtained.

The extraction of the oil of the white whale (Beluga

catodon) and of the black porpoise constitutes an important industry in the district of Quebec, on the St. Lawrence

river. This oil is inodorous, and gives a brilliant light. It is said to be superior to any other for lighthouses, because it does not coagulate even in the most intense cold, and its durability renders it invaluable for greasing leather and oiling machinery, which it preserves from injury by friction. In 1874 fish oil to the value of £86,600 was exported from Canada.

Dugong Oil.-An animal oil, having medicinal properties, was a few years ago added to the list of commercial products. It is obtained from the blubber of the dugong of Australia (Halicore Australis), a native of the shores of Queensland and the north-west coast of Australia. It was recommended as a new therapeutic agent, and as a substitute for cod-liver oil. The distinction between them is that the dugong oil contains no iodine; it is said, however, to possess all the advantages of the cod-liver oil without its unpleasant smell. No large supply of this oil could, however, be obtained, and from having arrived frequently much adulterated it lost any reputation it may have merited.

The best known of this family is the Manatus Americanus, Cuv., which frequents the mouths of rivers, and quiet, secluded bays and inlets, in the islands of the West Indies and the coasts of Guinea and Brazil. It is said to attain nearly 20 feet in length, and differs from the dugong in having no canines or incisors. An old author, Dr. R. Brookes, in his "Natural History," speaking of it says, "The fat which lies between the cuticle and the skin, when exposed to the sun, has a fine smell and taste, and far exceeds the fat of any sea animal. It has this peculiar property, that the heat of the sun will not spoil it, nor make it grow rancid. The taste is like the oil of sweet almonds, and it will serve very well in all cases instead of butter. Any quantity may be taken inwardly with safety,

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for it has no other effect than keeping the body open. The fat of the tail is of a harder consistence, and when boiled is more delicate than the other." The flesh of the manatus is highly esteemed as food in all countries the shores of which it frequents. It is particularly abundant in the

1. Halicore Australis; 2. Manatus Americanus.

lakes of the Amazon. Wallace, in his Travels up that river, describes it. "Beneath the skin," he says, "is a layer of fat of a greater or less thickness, generally about an inch, which is boiled down to make an oil used for lighting and cooking. Each animal yields from 5 to 25 gallons of oil."