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ing near the coast, which very frequently happens during the winter months, several boats put off in pursuit armed with nets, and rough iron spikes stuck in the end of long bamboos. As nets are rather curious implements to capture these great monsters with, a description of those which are employed is necessary.
The mesh is about a yard square; size of rope about three inches. It is made up in large squares, each side being 30 or 40 feet deep. These squares are attached to each other lightly, at the corners, and middle. The length of the whole net is about 200 feet, which is carried in two boats, and on getting within distance of the whale, the boats separate, dropping the net as they go, and again meeting on the other side, enclose the whale. If this is successfully done, and the great brute disturbed, he almost invariably strikes the net, as he dashes off. Whichever square of net he strikes breaks away from the rest, and now the faster he goes the more it clings to him. He dives, plunges and kicks to no purpose, and soon becoming confused and worried, returns to the surface, when the same process of surrounding him with another net is gone through. Again he dashes off only to become more confused and frightened, when coming to the surface once more, tired and worried, he is pierced with the primitive harpoons mentioned, until killed. He is then towed on shore, cut up, and sold for food—and very repulsive food it looks.
Owasi Bay, one of the numerous indentations I have mentioned as occurring along the coast, is situated about half way between Oosima and Toba. It affords excellent anchorage for vessels of any size, particularly in one of its long narrow arms, where the most complete shelter, easy of access in all weathers, is found. It was from here I had to go inland, to reach the summit of the highest range of a multitude of ranges of mountains, of which the Yamato province consists. Grand and beautiful mountains they are. The peak of Odai Yama is seen from seaward, when clear, for a great distance, the mountains north and south of it gradually rising and
