SIO WHALE-FISIIEllY. 



ther, with their edges upward, is fixed on fric- 

 tion-rollers near the bottom of the tube ; and 

 immediately below this frame another exactly si- 

 milar is placed at right angles. The knives 

 of the two frames, therefore, divide the cavity of 

 the tube into 25 exact squares. In Plate 22., 

 are two representations of this apparatus. Figure 1, 

 shows the instrument in its proper position ; and 

 fig. 2. is a horizontal section of the sam.e. ^Vhen 

 it is in use, the blubber to be cut is put into the 

 tube at the top, and falls upon the edges of the 

 knives. The knives are then put into rapid hori- 

 zontal motion, by which the blubber is readily cut 

 into proper sized pieces, falls into the lull attached 

 to the bottom of the machine, is conducted into the 

 hold, and disposed of in the same manner as before 

 described. Ko other pressure besides the weight of 

 the blubber, is requisite for forcing it through the 

 machine; but to assist the action of the knives, their 

 edges are sometimes made higher at the middle 

 than at the ends. 



A\''hcn the ground tier-casks, as far as they have 

 been exposed, arc filled, the second tier of casks is 

 ** stov/cd" upon it, and likewise filled Vvith blubber, 

 togetiier v;ith the third tier-casks, when necessary. 

 As in this progressive manner, when fish can be had 

 in .sufficiency, all the hold is filled, and likewise the 

 space between decks, — it is evident, that the pro- 

 cess of making-off must be tedious, disagreeable and 



