It is luminous,
resists coagulation by cold, to the forty-first degree of Fahrenheit's
thermometer, and fourth of Reaumur's, and yields no smell at all: it is
used, therefore, within doors, to lighten shops, and even in the richest
houses, for antichambers, stairs, galleries, &c. It sells at the London
market for treble the price of common whale-oil. This enables the
adventurer to pay the duty of eighteen pounds five shillings sterling
the ton, and still to have a living profit. Besides the mass of oil
produced from the whole body of the whale, his head yields three or
four barrels of what is called head-matter, from which is made the solid
spermaceti, used for medicine and candles. This sells by the pound at
double the price of the oil. The disadvantage of this fishery is, that
the sailors are from nine to twelve months absent on the voyage; of
course, they are not at hand on any sudden emergency, and are even
liable to be taken, before they know that war is begun. It must be
added, on the subject of this whale, that he is rare and shy, soon
abandoning the grounds where he is hunted.
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