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1BOOK III. (Duodecimo), CHAPTER 1. (Huzza Porpoise).--This is the common porpoise found almost all over the globe. The
2name is of my own bestowal; for there are more than one sort of porpoises, and something must be done to distinguish
3them. I call him thus, because he always swims in hilarious shoals, which upon the broad sea keep tossing themselves to
4heaven like caps in a Fourth-of-July crowd. Their appearance is generally hailed with delight by the mariner. Full of
5fine spirits, they invariably come from the breezy billows to windward. They are the lads that always live before the
6wind. They are accounted a lucky omen. If you yourself can withstand three cheers at beholding these vivacious fish,
7then heaven help ye; the spirit of godly gamesomeness is not in ye. A well-fed, plump Huzza Porpoise will yield you one
8good gallon of good oil. But the fine and delicate fluid extracted from his jaws is exceedingly valuable. It is in
9request among jewellers and watchmakers. Sailors put it on their hones. Porpoise meat is good eating, you know. It may
10never have occurred to you that a porpoise spouts. Indeed, his spout is so small that it is not very readily
11discernible. But the next time you have a chance, watch him; and you will then see the great Sperm whale himself in
12miniature. BOOK III. (Duodecimo), CHAPTER II. (Algerine Porpoise).--A pirate. Very savage. He is only found, I think, in
13the Pacific. He is somewhat larger than the Huzza Porpoise, but much of the same general make. Provoke him, and he will
14buckle to a shark. I have lowered for him many times, but never yet saw him captured. BOOK III. (Duodecimo), CHAPTER
15III. (Mealy-mouthed Porpoise).--The largest kind of Porpoise; and only found in the Pacific, so far as it is known. The
16only English name, by which he has hitherto been designated, is that of the fishers--Right-Whale Porpoise, from the
17circumstance that he is chiefly found in the vicinity of that Folio. In shape, he differs in some degree from the Huzza
18Porpoise, being of a less rotund and jolly girth; indeed, he is of quite a neat and gentleman-like figure. He has no
19fins on his back (most other porpoises have), he has a lovely tail, and sentimental Indian eyes of a hazel hue. But his
20mealy-mouth spoils all. Though his entire back down to his side fins is of a deep sable, yet a boundary line, distinct
21as the mark in a ship's hull, called the "bright waist," that line streaks him from stem to stern, with two separate
22colours, black above and white below. The white comprises part of his head, and the whole of his mouth, which makes him
23look as if he had just escaped from a felonious visit to a meal-bag. A most mean and mealy aspect! His oil is much like
24that of the common porpoise. Beyond the DUODECIMO, this system does not proceed, inasmuch as the Porpoise is the
25smallest of the whales. Above, you have all the Leviathans of note. But there are a rabble of uncertain, fugitive,
26half-fabulous whales, which, as an American whaleman, I know by reputation, but not personally. I shall enumerate them
27by their fore-castle appellations; for possibly such a list may be valuable to future investigators, who may complete
28what I have here but begun. If any of the following whales, shall hereafter be caught and marked, then he can readily be
29incorporated into this System, according to his Folio, Octavo, or Duodecimo magnitude:--The Bottle-Nose Whale; the Junk
30Whale; the Pudding-Headed Whale; the Cape Whale; the Leading Whale; the Cannon Whale; the Scragg Whale; the Coppered
31Whale; the Elephant Whale; the Iceberg Whale; the Quog Whale; the Blue Whale; etc. From Icelandic, Dutch, and old
32English authorities, there might be quoted other lists of uncertain whales, blessed with all manner of uncouth names.
33But I omit them as altogether obsolete; and can hardly help suspecting them for mere sounds, full of Leviathanism, but
34signifying nothing. Finally: It was stated at the outset, that this system would not be here, and at once, perfected.
35You cannot but plainly see that I have kept my word. But I now leave my cetological System standing thus unfinished,
36even as the great Cathedral of Cologne was left, with the crane still standing upon the top of the uncompleted tower.
37For small erections may be finished by their first architects; grand ones, true ones, ever leave the copestone to
38posterity. God keep me from ever completing anything. This whole book is but a draught--nay, but the draught of a
39draught. Oh, Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience!
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