rROCESS OF MAKING-OFF. 30? 



as possible over the place where the casks are to 

 be filled in the hold. A square hole, made in its 

 bottom, is placed either over the nearest hatch-way 

 to the scene of operations, or upon a corresponding 

 hole, cut in the deck. 



The speck-trough is then secured, and its lid 

 turned backward into an horizontal position; in which 

 position it is supported on one side by its hinges, 

 and on the other, by screw props or pillars ; or it is 

 altogether rested upon several little stools. The 

 surface of the lid, which, thus placed, fonns a level 

 table, is then covered with blocks of whales' tail, 

 from end to end. This substance, from its sinewy and 

 elastic nature, makes excellent " chopping-blocks," 

 and preserves the " chopping-knives" from injury, 

 when used for dividing the blubber upon it. Into 

 the square-hole in the bottom of the speck-trough, is 

 fitted an iron-frame, to which is suspended a canvas 

 tube or " hose," denominated a lull. The lull is open 

 at both ends. Its diameter is about a foot, and its 

 length sufficient to reach from the deck to the bottom 

 of the hold. To the middle, or towards the upper 

 part of the lull, is attached a " pair of nippers," 

 consisting of two sticks fastened together, by a kind 

 of hinge at one end, and capable of being pres- 

 sed together at the other. The nippers being pas- 

 sed across the body of the lull, and their detached 

 extremities brought together, they embrace it so 

 closely, that nothing can pass downward while they 



u 2 



