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- # BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER III. (_Mealy-mouthed Porpoise_)
## Overview
This is a section from the chapter [BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER III. (_Mealy-mouthed Porpoise_)](arke:01KG8AK83BA227D6NY5BT040FM) within a larger work. It is extracted from the text file [moby_dick.txt](arke:01KG89J198KE6FY8WPVJQQRCZ6) and is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. This section covers lines 6007-6055 of the source file.
## Context
The section is part of a chapter that is contained within a novel. The text file [moby_dick.txt](arke:01KG89J198KE6FY8WPVJQQRCZ6) is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The next section in the chapter is [CHAPTER 33. The Specksnyder.](arke:01KG8AM6RFSC0Y2KVF4DZZ0THQ).
## Contents
This section describes a specific type of porpoise, the "Mealy-mouthed Porpoise," which is classified as "Duodecimo" in size. It details its physical characteristics, such as its lack of a dorsal fin, its tail, hazel eyes, and distinctive black and white coloration around its mouth. The text also discusses other uncertain and "half-fabulous" whales known by whalemen, listing appellations like "Bottle-Nose Whale," "Junk Whale," and "Pudding-Headed Whale." The section concludes with a reflection on the unfinished nature of the cetological system being presented, comparing it to the unfinished Cathedral of Cologne.
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- BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER III. (_Mealy-mouthed Porpoise_)
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- BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER III. (_Mealy-mouthed Porpoise_).—The
largest kind of Porpoise; and only found in the Pacific, so far as it
is known. The only English name, by which he has hitherto been
designated, is that of the fishers—Right-Whale Porpoise, from the
circumstance that he is chiefly found in the vicinity of that Folio. In
shape, he differs in some degree from the Huzza Porpoise, being of a
less rotund and jolly girth; indeed, he is of quite a neat and
gentleman-like figure. He has no fins on his back (most other porpoises
have), he has a lovely tail, and sentimental Indian eyes of a hazel
hue. But his mealy-mouth spoils all. Though his entire back down to his
side fins is of a deep sable, yet a boundary line, distinct as the mark
in a ship’s hull, called the “bright waist,” that line streaks him from
stem to stern, with two separate colours, black above and white below.
The white comprises part of his head, and the whole of his mouth, which
makes him look 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 that of
the common porpoise.
* * * * * *
Beyond the DUODECIMO, this system does not proceed, inasmuch as the
Porpoise is the smallest of the whales. Above, you have all the
Leviathans of note. But there are a rabble of uncertain, fugitive,
half-fabulous whales, which, as an American whaleman, I know by
reputation, but not personally. I shall enumerate them by their
fore-castle appellations; for possibly such a list may be valuable to
future investigators, who may complete what I have here but begun. If
any of the following whales, shall hereafter be caught and marked, then
he can readily be incorporated into this System, according to his
Folio, Octavo, or Duodecimo magnitude:—The Bottle-Nose Whale; the Junk
Whale; the Pudding-Headed Whale; the Cape Whale; the Leading Whale; the
Cannon Whale; the Scragg Whale; the Coppered Whale; the Elephant Whale;
the Iceberg Whale; the Quog Whale; the Blue Whale; etc. From Icelandic,
Dutch, and old English authorities, there might be quoted other lists
of uncertain whales, blessed with all manner of uncouth names. But I
omit them as altogether obsolete; and can hardly help suspecting them
for mere sounds, full of Leviathanism, but signifying nothing.
Finally: It was stated at the outset, that this system would not be
here, and at once, perfected. You cannot but plainly see that I have
kept my word. But I now leave my cetological System standing thus
unfinished, even as the great Cathedral of Cologne was left, with the
crane still standing upon the top of the uncompleted tower. For small
erections may be finished by their first architects; grand ones, true
ones, ever leave the copestone to posterity. God keep me from ever
completing anything. This whole book is but a draught—nay, but the
draught of a draught. Oh, Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience!
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- BOOK III. (_Duodecimo_), CHAPTER III. (_Mealy-mouthed Porpoise_)