July 30, 2019 - Chapter Eighty-seven (pp. 383-388)

The rest of the chapter is the conclusion of the hunt, with another whale netted. There is this curious message embedded in a footnote though.

The Sperm Whale, as with all other species of the Leviathan, but unlike most other fish, breeds indifferently at all seasons; after a gestation which may probably be set down at nine months, producing but one at a time; though in some few known instances giving birth to an Esau and Jacob: —a contingency provided for in suckling by two teats, curiously situated, one on each side of the anus; but the breasts themselves extend upwards from that. When by chance these precious parts in a nursing whale are cut by the hunter's lance, the mother's pouring milk and blood rivallingly discolor the sea for rods. The milk is very sweet and rich; it has been tasted by man; it might do well with strawberries. When overflowing with mutual esteem, the whales salute more hominum.

It turns out this description is accurate, as shown below (note mammary slits along the bottom side of the whale).


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