All these are not only incorrect, but the picture of the Mysticetus or Greenland whale (that is to say the Right whale),
然而,所有這些圖不但不正確,而且那幅關(guān)于神鯨或稱格陵蘭鯨(也就是露脊鯨)的圖畫,
even Scoresby, a long experienced man as touching that species, declares not to have its counterpart in nature.
甚至象斯哥斯比這個對這方面富有經(jīng)驗的人物,也都認為它連一半都不象。
But the placing of the cap-sheaf to all this blundering business was reserved for the scientific Frederick Cuvier, brother to the famous Baron.
但是,集所有這種錯誤百出之大成的,還得算那個科學家弗里德里克·居維埃,也就是那位著名的男爵的弟弟。
In 1836, he published a Natural History of Whales, in which he gives what he calls a picture of the Sperm Whale.
一八三六年,他出版了一本《鯨博物史》,在那里邊,他畫出一幅他所謂抹香鯨的圖。
Before showing that picture to any Nantucketer, you had best provide for your summary retreat from Nantucket.
你在把這幅圖拿給隨便哪個南塔開特人看之前,你最好得有立刻離開南塔開特的準備。
In a word, Frederick Cuvier's Sperm Whale is not a Sperm Whale, but a squash.
總之,弗里德里克。居維埃的抹香鯨并不是一條抹香鯨,而是一只大南瓜。
Of course, he never had the benefit of a whaling voyage (such men seldom have), but whence he derived that picture, who can tell?
自然啦,他從來沒有去捕過鯨(這種人也不大會有這種機會),不過,究竟他是從哪里弄到那幅圖,誰知道他?
Perhaps he got it as his scientific predecessor in the same field, Desmarest, got one of his authentic abortions; that is, from a Chinese drawing.
也許他跟他的前輩的科學家德馬雷斯一樣,是從他那原始的流產(chǎn)品,也就是說,是從中國畫得來的。
And what sort of lively lads with the pencil those Chinese are, many queer cups and saucers inform us.
而那些拿著畫筆,蘸著許多希奇古怪的色杯和筆洗兒的中國小伙子,能給我們一些什么呢?
As for the sign-painters' whales seen in the streets hanging over the shops of oil-dealers, what shall be said of them?
至于街上所看到的,那些掛在鯨油商鋪門前,由漆招牌匠畫出來的鯨,又該怎么說呢?
They are generally Richard III. whales, with dromedary humps, and very savage;
它們一般都是理查三世(理查三世(1452—1485)——英國皇帝,以強悍兇殘見稱。)的鯨,有著單峰駱駝似的背峰,十分野蠻;