Chapters 82-86 Summary

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Ishmael refers to several legendary and religious figures who were also whalers, including demi-gods, heroes, and prophets, such as Perseus, St. George, Hercules, Vishnu, and Jonah.

Shortly after the incident with the Jungfrau, the crew sights more whales. To pursue them, the crew utilized a tool called a pitchpole, which is a slender ten- to twelve-foot lance that is lighter than a harpoon. The pitchpole can be hurled a considerable distance to penetrate the whale, and then pulled back with a line and thrown repeatedly. Tashtego managed to thrust his harpoon into one of the whales, but the creature kept swimming away swiftly. To hinder its escape, the pitchpole was employed to decrease its speed, and finally, the crew caught the whale.

Ishmael continues to ponder the anatomy of the whale, focusing on the whale's breathing process and snout. According to Ishmael, when the whale comes up to the surface, it inhales, filling up vessels on its spine and ribs with oxygenated blood, which it uses to breathe while underwater. While he is uncertain whether the spout is composed of vapor or vapor mixed with water, Ishmael asserts that it is obviously a type of mist. According to whalers, the jet that the whale expels through its spout is poisonous, harmful to the skin, and can cause blindness.

The tail of the sperm whale has a width of twenty feet and a surface area of at least fifty square feet. Despite its immense power, the tail moves with intention and elegance. The whale employs the tail for a variety of purposes, including moving forward, striking, sweeping, lobtailing, and peaking.

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Chapters 79-81 Summary

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Chapters 87-92 Summary