WHALE FISHERIES OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS AND DEPENDENCIES. 483 



a disintegrator, then sifted, and ultimately bagged as a powder or meal and ready 

 for the market. 



A floating whaling factory (Pis. VII. figs. i, 2, VIII. figs. 1, 2) consists of a steamer 

 or sailing ship up to 7000 tons burden, fitted with all the necessary reducing plant and 

 with accommodation for storing the oil. These vessels must be moored in a harbour, 

 as smooth water is required to enable the whales being flenched alongside the vessel. 

 The blubber and carcase are cut up and hoisted on board, where the treatment is very 

 similar to that adopted at the shore stations. A few steamers have been fitted with 

 drying kilns for the manufacture of guano, but so far the results have not been quite 

 satisfactory, and it is open to doubt whether the expenses of manufacturing and 

 marketing guano manufactured on board are covered by the prices realised. 



PRODUCTS. 



Three products may be obtained from the dried meat and bones. Firstly, whale 

 meat meal, manufactured exclusively from absolutely fresh whale flesh. This is a most 

 nutritious and wholesome foodstuff, containing 17^ per cent, proteid, and is largely used 

 for feeding cattle. Secondly, whale guano, made from the remaining flesh and about 

 one-third of bones. The analysis shows about 8 '50 per cent, ammonia and about 

 21 percent, tribasic phosphates. Thirdly, bone meal, made exclusively from bones, 

 and analysing about 4 per cent, ammonia and about 50 per cent, phosphates. The 

 whole of the dried carcase may also be made into one product, forming a rich guano 

 and containing from 10 per cent, to 12 per cent, ammonia and 17 per cent, to 24 per 

 cent, phosphates. 



The present value is about 13s. 6d. per unit of ammonia and 6d. per unit of 

 phosphates per ton delivered at a European port. 



The value of whalebone, baleen, or finners, as the whalebone of the Finner 

 species of the whales is commonly called, is now very small compared to the prices 

 formerly obtained. The baleen of the southern Right whale is at present only worth 

 about 750 per ton, and the finners of the Fish whale fetch about 85 per ton, of the 

 Blue and Finner whales only about 30, and of the Humpback whale about 10 per 

 ton. These prices are so low that it is questionable whether the expenses of marketing 

 are not heavier than the value realised. There can be no doubt that it does not pay to 

 ship Humpback finners at the prices mentioned. 



Whale oil is usually graded into four qualities, Nos. I., II., III., and IV., although 

 some companies add a fifth No. 0. Xos. and I. are made entirely from blubber, 

 No. II. from the tongues and kidney fat and from the residue of the blubber boilings, 

 No. III. from the flesh and bones, and Xo. IV. from refuse. 



The present value of Nos. and I. is about 24 per ton net weight, No. II. 

 22, No. III. 20, and No. IV. 18 per ton, all delivered U.K. or Continental port, 

 barrels included, or proportionate reduction if delivered naked. 



