Unlike the Danes, these Orientals don’t demand the obsequious homage of lowered high-sails from the infinite procession of ships earlier than the wind, which for centuries previous, by night and by day, have passed between the islands of Sumatra and Java, freighted with the costliest cargoes of the east. Hence it is, that, while different ships could have gone to China from New York, and back once more, touching at a rating of ports, the whale-ship, in all that interval, could not have sighted one grain of soil; her crew having seen no man however floating seamen like themselves. Those slim straits of Sunda divide Sumatra from Java; and standing midway in that huge rampart of islands, buttressed by that daring green promontory, recognized to seamen as Java Head; they not just a little correspond to the central gateway opening into some huge walled empire: and considering the inexhaustible wealth of spices, and silks, and jewels, and gold, and ivory, with which the thousand islands of that oriental sea are enriched, it seems a significant provision of nature, that such treasures, by the very formation of the land, should no less than bear the appearance, however ineffectual, of being guarded from the all-grasping western world.
The long and slim peninsula of Malacca, extending south-eastward from the territories of Birmah, kinds probably the most southerly level of all Asia. In a steady line from that peninsula stretch the long islands of Sumatra, Java, Bally, and Timor; which, with many others, form a vast mole, or rampart, lengthwise connecting Asia with Australia, and dividing the lengthy unbroken Indian ocean from the thickly studded oriental archipelagoes. Clear outdated prime Nantucket water; which, when three years afloat, the Nantucketer, within the Pacific, prefers to drink earlier than the brackish fluid, however yesterday rafted off in casks, from the Peruvian or Indian streams. Stand by three boats. Broad on both bows, at the space of some two or three miles, and forming an incredible semicircle, embracing one half of the extent horizon, a continuous chain of whale-jets have been up-enjoying and sparkling within the noon-day air. But right here be it premised, that owing to the unwearied activity with which of late they have been hunted over all four oceans, the Sperm Whales, instead of virtually invariably sailing in small detached companies, as in former occasions, at the moment are often met with in extensive herds, generally embracing so nice a multitude, that it could virtually appear as if numerous nations of them had sworn solemn league and covenant for mutual help and safety.
Time out of thoughts the piratical proas of the Malays, lurking among the low shaded coves and islets of Sumatra, have sallied out upon the vessels sailing by means of the straits, fiercely demanding tribute at the purpose of their spears. Almost renouncing all considered falling in with any recreation hereabouts, the ship had nicely nigh entered the straits, when the customary cheering cry was heard from aloft, and ere lengthy a spectacle of singular magnificence saluted us. To this aggregation of the Sperm Whale into such immense caravans, may be imputed the circumstance that even in the perfect cruising grounds, chances are you’ll now typically sail for weeks and months together, without being greeted by a single spout; after which be suddenly saluted by what typically seems thousands on thousands. However the form of on-line Male Supremacy for
Dummies ideology condensed enough to slot in a single X put up has no room for
what Illich called “ambiguous complementarity”, or even the grounded, sane, and
obviously household-oriented reflections on offer in Benjamin’s account of his own
residence life. Unlike the straight perpendicular twin-jets of the proper Whale, which, dividing at top, fall over in two branches, just like the cleft drooping boughs of a willow, the one ahead-slanting spout of the Sperm Whale presents a thick curled bush of white mist, regularly rising and falling away to leeward.
But though the inexperienced palmy cliffs of the land soon loomed on the starboard bow, and with delighted nostrils the contemporary cinnamon was snuffed in the air, yet not a single jet was descried. It is well known that the elephant will often draw up water or dust in his trunk, and then elevating it, jet it forth in a stream. Though all comparison in the way in which of common bulk between the whale and the elephant is preposterous, inasmuch as in that individual the elephant stands in a lot the same respect to the whale that a canine does to the elephant; nevertheless, there usually are not wanting some factors of curious similitude; amongst these is the spout. The prospect comparability in this chapter, between the whale and the elephant, as far as some points of the tail of the one and the trunk of the other are involved, shouldn’t have a tendency to place these two reverse organs on an equality, much much less the creatures to which they respectively belong.
