The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-06-12


We admire enterprise anywhere and every
where, always provided its object is fair, legiii
mate and decent. Especially DO we admire the
enterprise which has been consummated by Mr..
Cutting, the well known proprietor OF the Agar
al Gardens in this city. We stated on Saturday
the arrival of his whaleshp. In conversation
with Mr.. Cutting We gathered some particulars
of the capture and transportation of the mon
ster which we think we will be of interest TO
our readers.
The whale is called the white whale, and is an
nhabitant of the Northern seas. Its scientific
name is the Beuga." When full grown it is
from forty to fifty feet in length, and weighs
from four to six tons. From these figures it may
be inferred that the fish is Of some account. at
least in size while in commercial point OF view
it is of no mean account. The present whale,
now active, swimming resident OF our city,
was caught in the ST. Lawrence river, between
the Oree and DuLoup Rivers. His capture was
secured by weirs, sort of trap made of wooden
| stakes enclosing an area OF several miles OF wa
ter, but so shaped as to conceDtre to IA point
where big fish are nabbed These wers are set
regularly each year for the whales, at time
when they make their annual visit to the loca-
ty in question. Fourteen have been caught
within two months, which period is commonly
accounted a season. All but that caught for Mr..
Cutting were killed for the purpose OF procuring
| oil, which is their only product of any value
Having been secured he was placed in huge
box for transportation.
Before this was accomplished, however, the
whale gave his captOrs much trouble by his pow
erful tiappings, lumpings, &c., &c having tioun-
dered some Frenchmen several times, much 10
their peril and Inconvenience. The box was
t.ltx
the top with Stats. The precious freight Was
then carried seven miles over of the rough
est roads in Canada and from thence by rail five
hundred miles to Boston, by special TRAINS at an
expense OF some seven hundred dollars. The
whole enterprise did not cost less than from
| one thousand to one thousand two hundred
| The whale was twelve feet long and weighs two
| tons His transportation was attended with MANY
| interesting events. At each station the monster
was well watered rs if he had been a locomotive.
The aqueous attentions were quite necessary du-
ring the journey of sixty hours. All along the
route the distinguished traveller the object
| OF great curiosity and the most animated eonyer.
sstion.
On being placed in The huge tank at the Aqua.
rial Gardens, the process of which was witnessed
by hundreds with the most intense interest, the
whale swan aroundn the most lively and graceful
manner; and before he had occupied his new
residence halt an hour was apparently quite at
home. He has since been the wonder and admi-
ration OF thousands of our fellow citizens, promi
ncnt among which are the naturaliSts, teachers
and others Prot. Agassiz pronounces the whale
a grand affair, and the enterprise of getting il
here altogether sui generis.
The whale is fed on fish. Ii eats peck oil
herring at meal, though not on the whole a
great eater, his size considered. Its diet wher
in its native waters is chiefly fish called the
eapelin.