236 MARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 
jaw, in sections of several layers, and stowed below, where it remains until an 
opportunity occurs, in fine weather, to again take it on deck, when the slabs are 
separated and the gum scraped off; after which they are washed and dried, and 
when packed in bundles, are ready for market. 
But the cutting - in of a Sperm Whale differs materially from that of the 
whalebone whale, although it would appear that the latter was forced into nearly 
every conceivable posture, during the systematic process of mutilation in order to 
obtain its covering ; yet, in addition, the lifeless form of the Sperm Whale is 
made to assume a nearly vertical attitude during the course of flensing, a3 it 
was wont to do when filled with animation. The first procedure after the animal 
is fastened to the ship by the fluke -chain and head -rope, is to cut a hole through 
the blubber, between the eye and fin, at A, as seen in the accompanying outline 
sketch ; then, after cutting the scarfs on each side and around the end of the first 
blanket -piece, a blubber- hook, attached to one of the cutting -tackles, is inserted 
into the hole at A, and the piece raised by means of the tackle until the whale is 
rolled on its side ; then the line of separation between the upper jaw and junk is 
cut, as from L to C, and if a large whale, the line of separation is cut between 
the junk and case, as from B to E, and a cut is made across the root of the case 
from E to F ; a scarf is also made around the root of the lower jaw, from near 
the corner of the mouth to G. A chain -strap is then put on the jaw near H, and 
hooked or shackled to the second cutting- tackle, and raised by that purchase; 
while the other tackle, attached to the piece, is slackened off if need be, so as to 
let the whale roll upon its back ; when, by means of the tackle attached, and by 
cutting away the tongue and the adhering flesh, the jaw is wrenched from its 
socket, and placed on deck. This being accomplished, the first tackle, which is 
attached to the piece, is hove up by means of the windlass until the whale is 
rolled over to its opposite side, when the lines of separation ai;e cut to correspond 
to those made opposite ; holes are then morticed through the head close to the 
upper jaw-bone near I, at the end of the junk near J, and at the root of the case 
near K, and through these holes straps are rove, and lines are made fast to those 
of the junk and case. The second cutting -tackle is then hooked in the strap which 
is around the upper jaw at I; the fluke -chain is slackened off, and the first tackle 
fastened to the piece is lowered, when all hands heave on the head -tackle, forcing 
the whale down again, and thus bringing the creature's head up, and the body 
nearly to a vertical position. The officers upon the cutting -stage, with their keen 
spades, cut away between the bones and junk from L to C ; and the enormous 
weight of the whole fatty mass of the head hanging down, opens the gash between 
