226 WHALE-FISHERY, 



but under the influence of opposite circumstances, 

 it becomes greatly reduced. 



Process of boiling Blubber, or extracting Oil. 



The blubber, which is originally in the state of 

 firm fat, is found, on arrival in a warm climate, to 

 be in a great measure resolved into oil. The casks 

 containing the blubber are conveyed by a mechani- 

 cal apparatus to the top of a wooden cistern, called 

 the starting-back, capable of containing from 3 to 

 6 or 10 tons, into which their contents are started 

 through the bung-holes. When the copper or boil- 

 er, which is a vessel of about the same capacity as 

 the starting-back, is properly cleansed, the contents 

 of the starting-back, on lifting a clough at the ex- 

 tremity, or turning a stop -cock, fall directly into 

 the copper, one edge of which is usually placed 

 beneath. The copper is filled within two or three 

 inches of the top, a little space being requisite to 

 admit of the expansion of the oil when heated; and 

 then a brisk fire is applied in the furnace, and con- 

 tinues until the oil begins to boil. This usually 

 takes place in less than two hours. Many of the 

 fritters or fenks (the refuse) float on the surface of 

 the oil before it is heated, but after it is boiled ofF, 

 the whole, or nearly so, subside to the bottom. From 

 the time the copper begins to warm, until it is boil- 

 ed off, or ceases to boil, its contents must be in- 

 cessantly stirred by means of a pole armed with a 



