But the question returns whether this gas-pipe is also a water-pipe;
in other words, whether the spout of the Sperm Whale is the mere
vapor of the exhaled breath, or whether that exhaled breath is
mixed with water taken in at the mouth, and discharged through
the spiracle. It is certain that the mouth indirectly communicates
with the spouting canal; but it cannot be proved that this
is for the purpose of discharging water through the spiracle.
Because the greatest necessity for so doing would seem to be,
when in feeding he accidentally takes in water. But the Sperm Whale's
food is far beneath the surface, and there he cannot spout
even if he would. Besides, if you regard him very closely,
and time him with your watch, you will find that when unmolested,
there is an undeviating rhyme between the periods of his jets
and the ordinary periods of respiration.
But why pester one with all this reasoning on the subject?
Speak out! You have seen him spout; then declare what
the spout is; can you not tell water from air? My dear sir,
in this world it is not so easy to settle these plain things.
I have ever found your plain things the knottiest of all.
And as for this whale spout, you might almost stand in it,
and yet be undecided as to what it is precisely.
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