NORTHERN FULMAR. 433 



when filled, are secured with a stvinf^, and hung on cords 

 across the interior of the huts until required for use. The 

 oil thus procured and preserved, besides supplying tlieir 

 lamps, is used by the inhabitants as a medicine, being some- 

 times of considerable efficacy in chronic rheumatism, and 

 acting as a cathartic ; while, from its nauseous taste and 

 smell, it would doubtless prove an effectual emetic also to 

 any but a St. Kildian. In the beginning of August the 

 natives descend the rocks for the young Fulmars, which are 

 then nearly Hedged ; and by boiling with water, in proper 

 vessels, are made to furnish a large quantity of fat, which is 

 skimmed off, and preserved in casks in the solid form. The 

 old Fulmar is much esteemed as food by the St. Kildians, 

 principally on account of its sub-cutaneous covering of fat, a 

 substance of which they are immoderately fond. One which 

 I had the curiosity to taste unexpectedly proved tolerable 

 enough, after the envelope in question had been removed. 

 Perhaps the keenness of my appetite deceived me, as it was 

 not blunted by the following bill of fare : — Fulmar, Auk, 

 Guillemot, one of each, boiled ; two Puffins, roasted ; barley- 

 cakes, ewe-cheese, and milk ; and, by way of dessert, raw 

 dulse and roasted limpets ad libitum. 



"It is chiefly in pursuit of the Fulmar that the St. Kildian 

 requires to endanger his life, by descending the tremendous 

 precipices, on the faces of which it breeds in almost incre- 

 dible numbers. Their mode of procedure is as follows : — 

 Two men go in company, each furnished with several coils 

 of rope, about half an inch in diameter. The person Avhose 

 turn it is to descend fastens one of the ropes under his arm- 

 pits, and, holding the extremity of another rope in one 

 hand, is lowered down the cliff. His comrade stands a little 

 way from the edge, holding the supporting rope firmly with 

 both hands, and letting it out very slowly, while he allows 

 the other, or guide-rope, to slip out as is required from under 

 one foot, which loosely secures it. When the rope is all 

 run out, another is joined to it by means of a noose with 

 which it is provided, and the line is thus lengthened to any 

 degree. On arriving at a ledge occupied by birds, the fowler 

 commences his operations, easily securing the eggs and young 

 VOL. V. 2 r 



