398 A BUSY SCENE. 



are stationed the boat-steerers, armed with choppers ; and 

 very vigorously and dexterously do they chop up into 

 small pieces the large lumps of blubber which have passed 

 through the skinners' hands. Then they throw the pieces 

 into the spek trough, whence they pass down the lull, and 

 finally disappear in the tanks. 



We can well believe what Captain Markham tells us, 

 that this work makes the ship in a greasier and filthier 

 state than even the operation of " flinching;" and though 

 he tells us that there is nothing absolutely repugnant or 

 disgusting in witnessing the process, we think it is one 

 which inexperienced eyes would certainly dislike. " The 

 upper deck," he says, " during the time the work is at its 

 height, presents a most animated and busy scene. For- 

 ward, standing in a line across the forecastle behind their 

 blocks, are the boat-steerers, with their continual and 

 ceaseless; chopping ; in front of them are men busily em- 

 ployed with pickics, transferring the blubber (which has 

 rather the appearance of huge lumps of cheese) from the 

 deck to the spek trough ; whilst on each side are the 

 skinners, with their assistants, engaged in their individual 

 labours. All is life and activity, every one in a good 

 humour, and working with that cheerfulness and energy 

 which are the result of a contented and happy disposi- 

 tion." 



The whale-skin is sometimes thrown overboard ; some- 

 times preserved for distribution among the Eskimos, who 

 relish it as an article of food. It is said to be an excellent 

 anti-scorbutic. 



As we have said, the Greenland whale is the species 

 generally pursued by the whaler ; but the Balcena phy sails, 



