- description
- # BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER 1. (_Huzza Porpoise_)
## Overview
This chapter, titled "BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER 1. (_Huzza Porpoise_)", is a textual segment extracted from the novel [Moby-Dick; or, The Whale](arke:01KG8AJ9GN1K052QJEZVGKXJ0T). It focuses on the description and characteristics of the "Huzza Porpoise."
## Context
This chapter is part of [Moby-Dick; or, The Whale](arke:01KG8AJ9GN1K052QJEZVGKXJ0T), which is itself a component of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The text for this chapter was extracted from the digital file [moby_dick.txt](arke:01KG89J198KE6FY8WPVJQQRCZ6). It follows [BOOK II. (_Octavo_), CHAPTER V. (_Thrasher_)](arke:01KG8AK83BB7XX1E1GFNTXHYTE) and precedes [BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER II. (_Algerine Porpoise_)](arke:01KG8AK83B5KMA249P97MB0T3T) within the novel's structure. The preceding chapter introduces "DUODECIMOES" as smaller whales, including the Huzza Porpoise.
## Contents
The chapter provides a detailed description of the "Huzza Porpoise," a common porpoise found globally. The narrator explains the origin of the name, noting their tendency to swim in "hilarious shoals" and their generally positive reception by mariners as a lucky omen. The text also details the practical uses of the porpoise, including yielding "one good gallon of good oil" and a valuable fluid from its jaws used by jewelers and watchmakers. It also mentions that porpoise meat is edible and highlights the often-overlooked fact that porpoises spout, albeit with a small, less discernible spout, likening it to a miniature Sperm whale.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T20:50:56.969Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER 1. (_Huzza Porpoise_)
- end_line
- 6000
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:47:54.527Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 5981
- text
- BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER 1. (_Huzza Porpoise_).—This is the
common porpoise found almost all over the globe. The name is of my own
bestowal; for there are more than one sort of porpoises, and something
must be done to distinguish them. I call him thus, because he always
swims in hilarious shoals, which upon the broad sea keep tossing
themselves to heaven like caps in a Fourth-of-July crowd. 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.
- title
- BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER 1. (_Huzza Porpoise_)