Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

第三部 (Duodecimo), CHAPTER III. (Mealy-mouthed Porpoise).—The

This is Book III (Duodecimo), Chapter III of the cetological work, focused on the Mealy-mouthed Porpoise—the largest porpoise species and the smallest whale in the presented classification framework. The chapter includes a detailed description of the Mealy-mouthed Porpoise, a list of unconfirmed half-fabulous small whale species, and a closing reflection on the intentionally unfinished nature of the broader cetological system outlined in the work.

Mealy-mouthed Porpoise

This section provides a detailed description of the Mealy-mouthed Porpoise, the largest porpoise species currently only documented in the Pacific, also called the Right-Whale Porpoise by fishers due to its frequent presence near the larger Folio-classified Right Whale. It has a neat, slender build unlike the rounder Huzza Porpoise, lacks a back fin (a trait uncommon among most porpoises), has a lovely tail, and soft hazel “sentimental Indian” eyes. It earns its name from its distinctive pale, mealy-looking mouth and sharp “bright waist” marking: a clear dividing line running the full length of its body, with deep black coloring above the line and white below, covering its head and entire mouth to give it the appearance of having just raided a meal bag. Its oil is comparable to that of common porpoises.

Uncertain Fugitive Half-Fabulous Whales

This section notes that the cetological classification system does not extend beyond the Duodecimo tier, as the porpoise is the smallest whale. It lists unconfirmed, half-legendary small whale species known to American whalers by reputation only, which can be formally incorporated into the system if caught and measured to fit into the Folio, Octavo, or Duodecimo size classes. The listed species include the Bottle-Nose Whale, Junk Whale, Pudding-Headed Whale, Cape Whale, Leading Whale, Cannon Whale, Scragg Whale, Coppered Whale, Elephant Whale, Iceberg Whale, Quog Whale, Blue Whale, and others. The author omits obsolete, uncouth whale names from older Icelandic, Dutch, and English sources, which he suspects are meaningless Leviathan-related terms with no actual referent.