Their appearance is generally hailed with delight by the mariner. Full of fine spirits, they invariably come from the breezy billows to windward. They are the lads that always live before the wind. They are accounted a lucky omen. If you yourself can withstand three cheers at beholding these vivacious fish, then heaven help ye; the spirit of godly gamesomeness is not in ye. A well-fed, plump Huzza Porpoise will yield you one good gallon of good oil. But the fine and delicate fluid extracted from his jaws is exceedingly valuable. It is in request among jewellers and watchmakers. Sailors put it on their hones. Porpoise meat is good eating, you know. It may never have occurred to you that a porpoise spouts. Indeed, his spout is so small that it is not very readily discernible. But the next time you have a chance, watch him; and you will then see the great Sperm whale himself in miniature.
它们一出现,总要受到水手们的兴高采烈的欢呼。它们总是精神饱满地打从微风的波涛游向上风的地方去。它们都是始终顺风过活的小伙子。它们还被认为是一种吉兆。如果你看到了这些生龙活虎似的鱼群,而能连作三呼的话,那么上天就会赐助于你;你就没有那种善意的爱闹玩儿的兴致了。一只养尊处优的。肥肥胖胖的乌拉鲸可让你获得足足一加仑的纯油。而且从它嘴巴所提炼出来的芬香可口的油是极其名贵的。这是珠宝商和钟表匠所竭力搜求的东西。水手们还把油滴在磨刀石上,而且,须知这种鲸的肉非常好吃。你也许从来不会看到一条小鲸的喷水。不错,它的喷水很小,教人不很容易辨识出来。不过,下次如有机会,那你就仔细地瞧一瞧吧;那么,你就可以看出那是大抹香鲸本身的袖珍型。
BOOK III. (Duodecimo), CHAPTER II. (Algerine Porpoise).A pirate. Very savage. He is only found, I think, in the Pacific. He is somewhat larger than the Huzza Porpoise, but much of the same general make. Provoke him, and he will buckle to a shark. I have lowered for him many times, but never yet saw him captured.
第三篇(十二开型) 第二章(海盗鲸)一种海盗。生性十分凶悍。我认为,人们只有在太平洋上才找得到它。它稍为比乌拉鲸大一些;但大体上是相差不多的。一触怒它,它就准备把你吞了。我曾经好几次放下小艇想去捉它,可是,迄今还没有捉到过。
BOOK III. (Duodecimo), CHAPTER III. (Mealy-mouthed Porpoise).-The largest kind of Porpoise; and only found in the Pacific, so far as it is known. The only English name, by which he has hitherto been designated, is that of the fisher-Right-Whale Porpoise, from the circumstance that he is chiefly found in the vicinity of that Folio.
第三篇(十二开型) 第三章(粉嘴鲸)这是小鲸中最大的一种,而且,据说迄今只在太平洋上才找得到它。它至今所用的这个唯一的英文名称。露脊小鲸,是由那些渔夫给取出来的,主要是根据它经常出没于这种对开鲸的附近。
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