Sperm Whale Mouth Interior
When the Sperm Whale’s head is canted bottom-up and examined from above, the interior of the mouth presents a surprisingly beautiful and elegant appearance. The mouth’s interior is lined with a glistening white membrane, glossy as bridal satins, creating an unexpected contrast to the whale’s fearsome reputation.
Sperm Whale Lower Jaw Structure and Dangers
The lower jaw of the Sperm Whale resembles the long, narrow lid of an immense snuff-box, with the hinge at one end rather than the side. When pried open to reveal its rows of teeth, it presents a terrific portcullis-like appearance. In the water, a sulky whale may be seen floating with its fifteen-foot jaw hanging straight down at right angles to its body—reminiscent of a ship’s jib-boom. This dispirited whale, with relaxed jaw hinges, becomes a reproach to its tribe. The teeth have proven fatal to many fishermen upon whom they fall with impaling force.
Sperm Whale Tooth Extraction and Jaw Processing
The lower jaw, being easily unhinged by experienced workers, is hoisted on deck for processing. Queequeg, Daggoo, and Tashtego—described as accomplished dentists—set to extracting the ivory teeth. They lance the gums with cutting-spades, then lash the jaw to ringbolts while using tackles rigged from aloft to drag out the teeth, much as Michigan oxen drag stumps from woodland. Typically, forty-two teeth are extracted from each jaw. The jaw is subsequently sawn into slabs and stored like joists for building construction.
第七十五章 The Right Whale’s Head—Contrasted View.
This chapter provides an extended examination of the Right Whale’s head, drawing detailed anatomical comparisons and observations from multiple viewing angles. The chapter also contrasts the Right Whale’s head with the Sperm Whale’s, highlighting fundamental differences in their physical structures and concluding with a philosophical meditation on how each whale faces death differently.
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