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Bowhead whale and cachelot
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Bowhead whale and cachelot
Whalers harpooning a bowhead whale a, Balaena mysticetus, and cachelot or pot whale b, Physeter macrocephalus. Chromolithograph from Gotthilf Heinrich von Schuberts Natural History (Naturgeschichte), Schreiber, Munich, 1886
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Media ID 23201716
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Balaena Bowhead Gotthilf Harpoon Heinrich Hunt Macrocephalus Mysticetus Naturgeschichte Physeter Schubert Whale Whaling Cachelot
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This chromolithograph, titled "Bowhead Whale and Cachelot," is an intriguing depiction of a historic whaling scene from the Natural History (Naturgeschichte) publication by Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert in 1886. The image portrays a Bowhead Whale, Balaena mysticetus, a large baleen whale with a distinctive rounded head and long, curved mouth, as it surfaces in the Arctic waters. In the foreground, a group of whalers, armed with harpoons, are shown in a cachelot or pot hunt, a traditional whaling technique used to target the larger Sperm Whale, Physeter macrocephalus. The Sperm Whale, also known as the pot whale, is identified by its massive head, which makes up about one-third of its body length, and its distinctive square-shaped, spermaceti organ. This organ was once valued for the oil it produced, which was used for lighting and as a lubricant. The whalers in the image are shown expertly maneuvering their small boats, or whaleboats, towards the Bowhead Whale, which has likely been injured by a previous harpoon strike. The whalers, dressed in heavy clothing and protective gear, are poised to throw their harpoons, aiming for the vital organs of the whale. The scene is a testament to the skill, determination, and teamwork required during a whale hunt. This striking image not only captures the raw power and majesty of these magnificent creatures but also offers a glimpse into the rich history of whaling and the intricate techniques used by whalers to harvest these resources from the sea.
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