230 WHALE-FISHERY. 



the manufacture of the oil, having their feet defend- 

 ed by strong leathern or wooden shoes, descend in- 

 to it, and scour it out with sand and water, until 

 they restore the natural surface of the copper, wher- 

 ever it is discoloured. This serves to preserve the 

 oil from becoming high coloured,* which will al- 

 ways be the case, when proper cleanliness is not 

 observed. 



The starting-back being previously filled with 

 blubber, its contents are again transferred into the 

 copper, and the fire is applied as before. This is 

 generally accomplished by four, or half past four 

 o'clock in the afternoon. The copper again boils 

 by half an hour after five or six, and is boiled off 

 by seven or eight in the evening. The men em- 

 ployed in this service, consisting of about six per- 

 sons, alternately watch in the night by couples. 

 Those on watch, commence about two in the morn- 

 ing to empty the copper, which done, they again fill it 

 from the starting-back, which is always made ready 

 the night before. Thus the process goes on, until 

 the whole cargo is finished. 



By means of three coolers, severally capable of 

 containing at least twice the quantity of oil produc- 



* The palest coloured oil is most esteemed by buyers, and 

 is supposed to be the best; simply, perhaps, because it seems 

 to have been manufactured with care, and appears to be free 

 from any admixture of brown or black oil, produced from 

 the fenk-back, or found in the hold of the ship. 



