. The game birds and wild fowl of Sweden and Norway; with an account of the seals and salt-water fishes of those countries .. . THE SKAL-JERN. Many seals are also killed in Scandinavia with theSkdl-jern, or harpoon, the form of which varies head is of iron or steel, and usually from eight to ten ANOTHER KIND. inches in length ; near its base tliere is a small hole or arin,Avliereto is fastened a lineof the thickness of ones Hidefinger, and from ten (o twelve fathoms long. The shaft,removeable at pleasure, is of wood, and about eight feet inlength, but is only inserted in the
. The game birds and wild fowl of Sweden and Norway; with an account of the seals and salt-water fishes of those countries .. . THE SKAL-JERN. Many seals are also killed in Scandinavia with theSkdl-jern, or harpoon, the form of which varies head is of iron or steel, and usually from eight to ten ANOTHER KIND. inches in length ; near its base tliere is a small hole or arin,Avliereto is fastened a lineof the thickness of ones Hidefinger, and from ten (o twelve fathoms long. The shaft,removeable at pleasure, is of wood, and about eight feet inlength, but is only inserted in the socket Avhen theweapon is about to be lirought into play; at other times itserves as a staff to assist the hunter during his progressover weak ice, or to dispatch such seals as may chanceto fall in his LINNiEUS SKAL-JEaN. A second form of Skiil-jern, as shown above, is spokenof by Linngeus, who describes the shaft as three feet inlength and somewhat less in thickness than a mans from the shape of this weapon it is pretty clear that itcan only be used when you are immediately near theseal, and then in like manner as an axe. It is in winter time chiefly that the harpoon ismade use of. Armed with it, and with a white shirt drawnover his usual dress, that he may the less attract the eyeof the seal, the hunter steals upon it whilst sleeping at theedge of the ice, or he keeps watch near the Blas-hal,spoken of at page 393, and when the animal comes to theaperture to respire, he transfixes it with his deadly weapon. 430 THE TABLES TURNED. On receiving the wound, it plunges downwards, carryingwith it, however, only the barhed iron, the shaft remainingin the mans hand. But the seal is presently broughtup again by the line spoken of (whereto is attached aswivel), the inner end of whi
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