Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1880 — The Mother Whale. [ARTICLE]

The Mother Whale.

The maternal affection of the whale, which in other respects is apparently a stupid animal, ia striking and interesting. The cub, being insensible to danger, ia easily harpooned, when the tender affection of the mother ta so manifested as not unfrequently to bring it within reach of the whalers. Hence, though a cub is of little value,. yet it ia sometimes struck as a snare for its mother. In this case she joins it at the sur&ce of the water, whenever it has occasion to rise for respiration; encourages it to swim awny; assists its flight by taking it under her fin, and seldom deserts it while life remains She is then dangerous to approach, bat 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 have been made upon herself. In th£ whalefishery of 1814 a harpooner struck a young whale with the hope of its leading to its mother. Presently she arose, and seized the young one and dragged about a hundred fathoms of line ont of the boat, with remarkable force and velocity. Again she rose to the surface; darted furiously to and fro; frequently stopped short, or suddehly 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, seemed regardless of the danger that surrounded her. Being at length struck with six harpoons, she was killed.