Article: A note on 'Moby-Dick''s "Cetology" chapter.

Harold Beaver argues that "the list [of whales]" in Moby-Dick's chapter 32 (subtitled "Cetology") "is meant, of course, to stun the reader rather than introduce a true note of scientific inquiry" (756). Despite Herman Melville's jests at the expense of such serious cetologists as Scoresby, Beale and Cuvier, the material he presents so humorously is no joke. Today's reader can still draw from this chapter a substantial amount of accurate information concerning identifying marks and behavior patterns of earth's major species of cetaceans. As Vincent notes, "Melville's conjectures have been proved sound. Moby-Dick may be relied upon for its cetological and whaling fact" ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!