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LESSON 38 The rorqual
第三十八课 长须鲸
In the wide ocean which extends between Greenland and Nova Zembla,
在格林兰岛和新地岛之间那片广阔的海域里，
the huge rorqual rules, the undisputed monarch of the watery wilds.
长须鲸是无可争议的王者，统治着整片水域。
Though much greater in length than the Greenland whale (varying from 100 to 121 feet),
虽然长须鲸比北极露脊鲸长许多（长度从100到121英尺不等），
its body is more slender, and its muzzle considerably more pointed.
它的体型却更为灵巧，嘴巴也要长得多。
Being active and fearless, it is avoided by the whalers;
由于长须鲸到处活动，无所畏惧，捕鲸手们都敬而远之；
especially as, in consequence of the small amount of oil it produces,
特别是由于长须鲸体内的油不多，
and the short length and inferior quality of the whale-bone in its mouth,
嘴里的骨头短，骨质也不好，
it is of much less value than the true whale.
长须鲸也就比其它鲸鱼要廉价的多。
Having a large gullet, it is able to swallow fish of considerable size;
长须鲸的食道非常大，因此能吞下体型庞大的鱼类；
and it is stated that in the stomach of one captured
据说曾有一只被捕获的长须鲸，
there were found no fewer than six hundred large cod fish, with no small number of pilchards besides!
胃内有至少六百条大鳕鱼和大量沙丁鱼！
This will give some idea of the havoc it makes among shoals of fish.
由这可想而知，它是如何肆意蹂躏浅滩上的鱼类的。
To satisfy its voracious appetite, it follows them in all directions,
为了满足巨大的食欲，长须鲸从各个方向尾随这些鱼，
frequently leaving the Arctic seas in search of its prey;
经常离开北冰洋寻找猎物；
and it has been found hovering round the fishing grounds off the coast of Great Britain.
还有人发现它们曾在英国海岸附近的渔场游荡。
