Physeter, or Spermaceti Whale.
Drawn by Seale, from one killed on the Coast of Mexico,
August 1793. and hoisted in on Deck.
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A. Part of the Head containing liquid Oil, which is covered with a black membrane. B. The Spout hole which runs horizontally along the left side, and is also seperated by the same kind of membrane. The part between the double lines, is covered with Fat of considerable thickneſs, like that of a hog, these parts make one third of the quantity of Oil the Fish produces, of which the liquid is about one third. A.B. Part of the Head which of large Whale being too bulky and ponderous to be hoisted on board is divided at the double line below C.C. and hoisted upon deck. ❑❑ Where the tackles are toggled and hook'd. D. Where the tackles are first hooked, which is called raising a peice, being thus steadied in the tackles the head is divided at the lowest double line and wore a stern till the fish is flinched, which is done by separating the Fat from the Body with long handled Iron Spades, as the Whale is here round by the tackles the Fat peels off, and if any Sea is on the rising of the Ship considerable expedites the business. E. A large hump of Fat. F. A Smaller when the Fish is flinched, or peeled to E. it will no longer cant in the tackles, is therefore cut through at the first double line and also at G. the tail being of no value. H. The Ear, which is remarkably small in proportion to the body, as is also the Eye from which a hollow or concave line runs to the fore part of the head the Eyes being prominent enables them to pursue their Prey in a direct line, and by inclining the head a little either to the right or left to see their enemy a stern, they have only one row or Teeth, which are in the lower Jaw with sockets in the upper one to receive them, the number depends on the age of the Fish, the lower Jaw is a solid Bone that narrows nearly to a point and closes under the upper, when they spout, they throw the water forwards and not upwards like other Whales except when they are enraged, they also spout more regular and stay longer under water the larger the Fish the more frequently they spout and continue longer under water. The Tail is horizontal with which he does much mischief in defending himself. Their Food, from all the observations I have had an opportunity to making, has been the Sepia or middle Cuttle Fish. This species of the whale is remarkable for its attachment and for aſsisting each other when struck with a harpoon: and more mischief is done by the looſe Fish, than those the boats are fast to, and they frequently bite the lines in two which the struck Fish is fast with. The Ambergrease is generally discovered by probing the intestines with a long pole, when the Fish is cut in two at E.
