英语听书《白鲸记》第567期

 　　All these are not only incorrect, but the picture of the Mysticetus or Greenland whale (that is to say the Right whale), 然而，所有这些图不但不正确，而且那幅关于神鲸或称格陵兰鲸（也就是露脊鲸）的图画，

　　even Scoresby, a long experienced man as touching¹ that species, declares not to have its counterpart in nature. 甚至象斯哥斯比这个对这方面富有经验的人物，也都认为它连一半都不象。

　　But the placing of the cap-sheaf to all this blundering business was reserved for the scientific Frederick Cuvier, brother to the famous Baron². 但是，集所有这种错误百出之大成的，还得算那个科学家弗里德里克·居维埃，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 Sperm³ Whale. 一八三六年，他出版了一本《鲸博物史》，在那里边，他画出一幅他所谓抹香鲸的图。

　　Before showing that picture to any Nantucketer, you had best provide for your summary retreat from Nantucket. 你在把这幅图拿给随便哪个南塔开特人看之前，你最好得有立刻离开南塔开特的准备。

　　In a word, Frederick Cuvier's Sperm Whale is not a Sperm Whale, but a squash.  总之，弗里德里克。居维埃的抹香鲸并不是一条抹香鲸，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 derived⁴ that picture, who can tell?  自然啦，他从来没有去捕过鲸（这种人也不大会有这种机会），不过，究竟他是从哪里弄到那幅图，谁知道他？

　　Perhaps he got it as his scientific predecessor⁵ in the same field, Desmarest, got one of his authentic⁶ abortions⁷; that is, from a Chinese drawing. 也许他跟他的前辈的科学家德马雷斯一样，是从他那原始的流产品，也就是说，是从中国画得来的。

　　And what sort of lively lads with the pencil those Chinese are, many queer cups and saucers inform us. 而那些拿着画笔，蘸着许多希奇古怪的色杯和笔洗儿的中国小伙子，能给我们一些什么呢？

　　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，那些挂在鲸油商铺门前，由漆招牌匠画出来的鲸，又该怎么说呢？

　　They are generally Richard III. whales, with dromedary humps, and very savage⁸;  它们一般都是理查三世（理查三世（1452—1485）——英国皇帝，以强悍凶残见称。）的鲸，有着单峰骆驼似的背峰，十分野蛮；

1 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

2 baron   

n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王

参考例句：

• Henry Ford was an automobile baron.亨利·福特是一位汽车业巨头。
• The baron lived in a strong castle.男爵住在一座坚固的城堡中。

3 sperm   

n.精子，精液

参考例句：

• Only one sperm fertilises an egg.只有一个精子使卵子受精。
• In human reproduction,one female egg is usually fertilized by one sperm.在人体生殖过程中，一个精子使一个卵子受精。

4 derived   

vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取

参考例句：

• Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

6 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

7 abortions   

n.小产( abortion的名词复数 )；小产胎儿；（计划）等中止或夭折；败育

参考例句：

• The Venerable Master: By not having abortions, by not killing living beings. 上人：不堕胎、不杀生。 来自互联网
• Conclusion Chromosome abnormality is one of the causes of spontaneous abortions. 结论：染色体异常是导致反复自然流产的原因之一。 来自互联网

8 savage   

adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人

参考例句：

• The poor man received a savage beating from the thugs.那可怜的人遭到暴徒的痛打。
• He has a savage temper.他脾气粗暴。