314 
PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. 
from the deep sea, the cod is then fattest and in best condition ; but by remain¬ 
ing in shallow water, where the function of spawning is accomplished, where 
feeding is not its object, and where little food is to be obtained, it becomes 
leaner and leaner, until, on its return to the deep sea, it is quite emaciated. 
Cod-fishing at Lofoden terminates on the 14th of April. All the contracts 
for service expire on that day, according to ancient custom ; even though the 
fishing may be productive with a prospect of continuous good results, the men 
disperse notwithstanding, and their labours are discontinued. The reverence 
that the northern races have for the festival of Easter is the original cause for 
this usage, together with the ardent desire felt by every individual to pass the 
holidays following that religious anniversary, preceding as they do the joyful 
spring time and much-longed-for slimmer, in his own home. Quite recently 
some employers have tried to make contracts with their men to continue the 
fishing beyond the 14th of April, if fish were abundant; this, however, is at 
present an exceptional stipulation, and by no means the custom. 
On arriving at their several huts and villages the preparation of the oil is pro¬ 
ceeded with, and generally completed by the end of May. While the barrels 
of liver remain at Lofoden, and still more during the journey afterwards, much 
of the cellular tissues becomes disintegrated, and the oil flows out; so soon as 
the barrels are opened, this oil is carefully poured off and kept apart, and this, 
together with that made at Lofoden in the open wooden vessels, is the light yellow 
oil. The livers having been partially exhausted are then thrown into iron 
kettles hung over an open fire, the water contained by the livers being allowed 
to evaporate ; the oil is poured off as fast as it becomes disengaged by the 
warmth, and is put into barrels. This is the brown oil. Increased heat above 
212° Fahr. is now applied, so that drops of rain, for the operation is always car¬ 
ried on in the open air, falling into the kettle are instantly converted into steam 
with a slight explosion ; the colour deepens ; as the temperature increases the oil 
gradually grows darker, till at last, when what remains of the livers floats about 
as hard dark lumps in oil that is almost black, the process is considered to be 
finished, and the remaining product is the dark tanner's oil. 
In Sweden, Denmark, and even in Norway itself, as well as in other places, 
there is a prejudice in favour of the brown oil. It is regarded by many as 
superior in its remedial properties to the light yellow oil. But as the light 
yellow oil is an exudation at a low temperature from the liver at its freshest 
period, and has certainly less flavour and odour than any other kind, it does not 
appear that this preference is well founded. 
It is apparent that a variable and sometimes long interval takes place between 
the removal of the liver from the fish and the separation of the oil. Livers 
taken in January may not be treated for their oil till April, and even if taken 
at the end of the season the interval may be considerable, depending on tiie 
distance of the fisherman’s home, on Easter-tide, and also upon the supply of 
kettles for few fishermen own these utensils, but borrow of one another. 
When the boiling is begun, no difference is made between livers taken early or 
late, but all are treated alike. Thus the first livers that may be presumed to be 
the best will be the stalest, and the late and poor livers the freshest. The average 
time that elapses between the death of the fish and the separation of much of the 
oil, may be said to be from one and a half to four months. 
Oil is never sold at Lofoden during the fishing season, but in May and June 
the fishers take their several products to Bergen, which is the true market. 
They are unwilling to sell their livers on the fishing-grounds, though at ad¬ 
vancing prices, preferring to make the oil themselves, even with less ultimate 
profit. The reason is peculiar ; they are to a man desirous of being present at 
the great annual gathering at Bergen, for to be frequently absent from it 
lowers their reputation at home as men of the world ; so a regard for their per- 
