英语听书《海底两万里》第41期 第4章 尼德兰(10)

 　　Note well, my fine Canadian, I went on, if such an animal exists, if it lives deep in the ocean,

　　请您注意，我又说，我的诚实的加拿大人，如果有这样的一种动物，如果它是生活在海洋底下，

　　if it frequents the liquid strata¹ located miles beneath the surface of the water, it needs to have a constitution so solid, it defies all comparison.

　　如果它要在离水面几英里深的海底活动，它必然有坚强无比的机体。

　　And why this powerful constitution? Ned asked.

　　为什么要这么坚强的机体呢？尼德兰问。

　　Because it takes incalculable strength just to live in those deep strata and withstand their pressure.

　　因为要在很深的水中生活，要能抵抗水的压力，那就必须有一种不可估计的巨大力量。

　　Oh really? Ned said, tipping me a wink².

　　真的吗？尼德·兰挤一挤眼睛，看看我。

　　Oh really, and I can prove it to you with a few simple figures.

　　真的，一些数目字很容易给您证明这享。

　　Bosh! Ned replied. You can make figures do anything you want!

　　啊!尼德·兰答，数目字!

　　In business, Ned, but not in mathematics.

　　人们可以随便拿数目字来证明自己喜欢的事!

　　Listen to me. Let's accept that the pressure of one atmosphere is represented by the pressure of a column of water thirty-two feet high.

　　尼德·兰，这是实事求是的，而不是数学上的数目字。请您好好地听我说。我们都承认，一个大气压力等于三十二英尺高的水柱压力。

　　In reality, such a column of water wouldn't be quite so high because here we're dealing³ with salt water, which is denser⁴ than fresh water.

　　实际上，这水柱的高度是最小的，因为我们现在讲的是海水，海水的密度大于淡水的密度。

1 strata   

n.地层（复数）；社会阶层

参考例句：

• The older strata gradually disintegrate.较老的岩层渐渐风化。
• They represent all social strata.他们代表各个社会阶层。

2 wink   

n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁

参考例句：

• He tipped me the wink not to buy at that price.他眨眼暗示我按那个价格就不要买。
• The satellite disappeared in a wink.瞬息之间，那颗卫星就消失了。

3 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

4 denser   

adj. 不易看透的, 密集的, 浓厚的, 愚钝的

参考例句：

• The denser population necessitates closer consolidation both for internal and external action. 住得日益稠密的居民，对内和对外都不得不更紧密地团结起来。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
• As Tito entered the neighbourhood of San Martino, he found the throng rather denser. 蒂托走近圣马丁教堂附近一带时，发现人群相当密集。