Now the various species of whales need some sort of popular comprehensive classification,  现在对各种大鲸必须作出一种通俗易懂的分类来,

if only an easy outline one for the present, hereafter to be filled in all-outward its departments by subsequent laborers.  如果暂时能够做出一个简便的纲要,让以后的劳作者去分门别类地进行补充也就不错了。

As no better man advances to take this matter in hand, I hereupon offer my own poor endeavors.  既然没有高明人士来做这种事情,那我就不揣冒昧地尝试一番。

I promise nothing complete; because any human thing supposed to be complete must for that very reason infallibly be faulty.  我一点也不敢说能做得完满,因为任何一个自以为会做得完满的人,一定会由此而招致错误。

I shall not pretend to a minute anatomical description of the various species, or-in this space at least-to much of any description.  我也不想从解剖学角度详细记述各种大鲸,也不想...至少在这里...做出任何过多的记述。

My object here is simply to project the draught of a systematization of cetology. I am the architect, not the builder. 我的目的只想勾勒出一幅鲸类学的有系统的草图来。我是工程师,而不是营造者。

But it is a ponderous task; no ordinary letter-sorter in the Post-Office is equal to it.  不过,这可是一件烦重的工作,决不是通常的邮政局检信员所能胜任的。

To grope down into the bottom of the sea after them; to have one's hands among the unspeakable foundations, ribs, and very pelvis of the world; this is a fearful thing.  得钻到海底里跟踪摸索,得把双手去探索世间所无法描摹的喷泉。肋骨和骨盆;这是一件可怕的事情。

What am I that I should essay to hook the nose of this leviathan! The awful tauntings in Job might well appal me.  我是什么人,竟敢企图去钩住这种大海兽的鼻子!约伯遭到的那种可怕的奚落就足以把我吓坏了。

Will he (the leviathan) make a covenant with thee? Behold the hope of him is vain!  他(大海兽)岂肯与你立约?人们指望捉拿他,是徒然的!

But I have swam through libraries and sailed through oceans; I have had to do with whales with these visible hands;  但是,我已经跑遍了许多图书馆,航遍了各大洋;我只得用我这双看得见的手来处置这些大鲸;

I am in earnest; and I will try. There are some preliminaries to settle. 我是认认真真的,因此,我要试一试。这里得把一些准备工作安排一下。