This allusion to the Indian rocks reminds me of another thing.
Besides all the other phenomena which the exterior of the Sperm Whale
presents, he not seldom displays the back, and more especially his flanks,
effaced in great part of the regular linear appearance, by reason
of numerous rude scratches, altogether of an irregular, random aspect.
I should say that those New England rocks on the seacoast,
which Agassiz imagines to bear the marks of violent scraping
contact with vast floating icebergs--I should say, that those rocks
must not a little resemble the Sperm Whale in this particular.
It also seems to me that such scratches in the whale are probably
made by hostile contact with other whales; for I have most remarked
them in the large, full-grown bulls of the species.
A word or two more concerning this matter of the skin
or blubber of the whale. It has already been said, that it
is stript from him in long pieces, called blanket-pieces.
Like most sea-terms, this one is very happy and significant.
For the whale is indeed wrapt up in his blubber as in a real
blanket or counterpane; or, still better, an Indian poncho slipt
over his head, and skirting his extremity. It is by reason of this
cosy blanketing of his body, that the whale is enabled to keep
himself comfortable in all weathers, in all seas, times, and tides.
Pages:
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506