60 



u Making off" 



or disgusting in witnessing the process. Indeed, 

 the upper deck, during the time the work is at its 

 height, presents a most animated and busy scene. 

 Forward, standing in a line across the forecastle 

 behind their blocks, are the boat-steerers, with 

 their continual and ceaseless chopping ; in front of 



Fulmar Petrels, or " Mollies." 



them are men busily employed with pickies, trans- 

 ferring the blubber (which has rather the appear- 

 ance 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 



