404 



MAMMAL I A-W H A L E. 



again descends, but with less force than before ; and when he comes up 

 again, is generally incapable of descending, but suffers himself to be Avound- 

 ed and killed with long lances, with which the men are provided for the 

 purpose. He is known to be near death when he spouts up the water deep- 

 ly tinged with blood. 



The whale being dead, is lashed along side the ship. They then lay it 

 on one side, and put two ropes, one at the head, and the other in the place 

 of the tail, which, together Avith the fins, is struck off as soon as he is taken, 



to keep tliese extremities above water. On the off side of the whale are 

 two boats, to receive the pieces of fat, utensils, and men, that might other- 

 wise fall into the water on that side. These precautions being taken, three 

 or four men with irons at their feet, to prevent slipping, get on the whale, 

 and begin to cut out pieces of about three feet thick and eight long, which 

 are hauled up at the capstan or windlass. AVTien the fat is all got off, they 

 cut ofi' the whiskers of the upper jaw, with an axe. Before they are cut, they 

 are all lashed to keep them firm ; which also facilitates the cutting, and 

 prevents them from falling into the sea. Wlren on board, five or six of 

 them are bundled together, and properly stowed ; and after all is got off, 

 the carcass is turned adrift, and devoured by the bears, who are very fond 

 of it. In proportion as the large pieces of fat are cut off, the rest of the 

 crew are employed in slicing them smaller, and picking out all the lean. 

 When this is prepared, they stow it under the deck, where it lies till the 

 fat of all the whales is on board ; then cutting it still smaller, they put it 

 up in casks in the hold, cramming them very full and close. Nothing now 

 remains but to sail homewards, where the fat is to be boiled and melted 

 down into train oil. 



