304 \yHALE-FlSHERY. 



he was sinking, and met with such prompt assist"* 

 ance, he must infalhbly have perished. 



SECT. XII. 



Process of3Iaking Off. 



When a iish is caught, or sometimes when there 

 is a good prospect of success in the fishery, even 

 before a fish is caught, the centre of the ship's 

 hokl is disencumbered of a few of its casks, to 

 be in readiness for the reception of the bhib- 

 ber. The cavity thus made, together with all 

 the space between decks which can convenient- 

 ly be appropriated to tlie same purpose, receives 

 the name of the flcns-gut. Now, when the 

 flens-gut is filled with blubber, or when, no fish 

 being seen, a favourable opportunity of leisure is 

 presented, the operation of making off* is general- 

 ly commenced. This consists of freeing the fat 

 from all extraneous substances, especially the mus- 

 cular parts, and the skin ; then cutting it into small 

 pieces, and putting it into casks through the bung-^ 

 holes. 



* The expression " making off," seems to be derived from 

 the Avord afmaakcn of the Dutch, signifying to finish, adjust, 

 or complete, referring to the nature of the operation, — as a 

 concluding, fmishing, or adjustmg process. 



