WHALE-FISHERY. 225 



had in sufficiency, all the hold is filled, and like- 

 wise the space between decks,— it is evident, that 

 the process of making-off must be tedious, disagreea- 

 ble and laborious. Fifty men, actively employed, 

 can prepare and pack about three tons of blubber 

 in an hour; though, more frequently, they are con- 

 tented with making-off little more than half that 

 quantity.* 



When a ship, which makes a successful fishing, 

 is deficient in casks, the remaining vacancies adapt- 

 ed for the reception of the cargo, are filled with 

 " blubber in bulk," that is, the blubber, in large 

 pieces as it is taken off the whales, is laid skin 

 downward, upon the highest tier of casks, and over 

 this, stratum after stratum, until the vacancies are 

 filled. A little salt is usually scattered over the 

 surface of each stratum of blubber, which assists in 

 preserving the animal fibre, and in preventing the 

 discharge of the oil. Blubber in bulk, notwithstand- 

 ing every precaution, however, generally loses much 

 of its oil. 



A quick passage homeward, with cool weather 

 and smooth sea, are favourable for its preservation, 



* The operation of making-off was always, in the earlier 

 ages of the fishery, performed on shore; and even so recently 

 as the middle of last century, It was customary for ships to 

 proceed into a harbour, and there remain so long as this 

 process was going on. 



Vol. III. 29 



