He never lectured without a small whalebone rod or pointer.
"The History of the Medical Department of Transylvania University"
Robert Peter
Linnell would have followed, but he caught sight of Claire tottering towards the stile, and he turned to help her, but Rockley had sprung up and, with a hoarse cry of rage, struck at Linnell with his riding-whip, the plaited whalebone falling upon his cheek, and making a weal right across his face.
"The Master of the Ceremonies"
George Manville Fenn
At this point he was brought from his musings to the present by a stinging cut from a riding-whip across the back, his tight uniform being so little protection that the sharp whalebone seemed to divide the flesh.
"The Master of the Ceremonies"
George Manville Fenn