Chapter 82 77．Heidelberg barrel

Everyone knows that the reason why there are so many whaling ships risking their lives in the turbulent waves is because the whale has infinite value. What is the most precious thing in a whale? It's the brain of a whale hidden in a vat in Heidelberg. Earlier we talked about how to cut oil carefully, so how to get the most precious whale brain? Start by learning a little about whale anatomy. Divide a whale head into two halves obliquely from top to bottom, and the bottom half is the skull and gums of the whale. Then divide the upper half horizontally into two halves, and the lower half we call the brain block.

The inside of the brain block is full of fine cells made of criss-crossing white fibers, and these cells are interpenetrated and are a place for oil storage. Sometimes there are some whale brains here, but the power is not too much. The upper half cut off the second time is where the whale brain is. According to the whaling circle, sailors usually call it the "Heidelberg barrel". The so-called "Heidelberg vat" is actually a name for the image of the place where the whale brain is stored. In fact, the whale brain is wrapped in a layer of extremely luxurious clothes, and it is still unknown what it is.

The title of "Heidelberg Barrel" comes from Baden, Germany, a place rich in fine wine along the Rhine. Maybe it means that whale brain is as precious as good wine, or there is another meaning that this whale brain can only be contained in a Heidelberg barrel. More directly, the shape is like a Heidelberg barrel. The Heidelberg vat in its skull would be about twenty-six feet deep in a whale of medium size. Cetacean brain is regarded as the most precious treasure of whales. This precious thing is pure in texture, transparent in color, and fragrant. When the whale is still alive, it is a transparent liquid. After the whale is dead, once it is taken out, it will condense into a crystalline ice-like solid when it meets the air.

Great care must be taken when removing the cetacean brain so that it does not spill or leak. Especially when cutting the head of the whale, you must be extremely careful, because the place where the whale is shoveled is next to the "Heidelberg barrel". If you make a slight mistake and shovel it, you will suffer heavy losses.