The Natural History of the Order Cetacea: And the Oceanic Inhabitants of the Arctic Regions

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author, 1834 - Cetacea - 294 pages
 

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Page 25 - ... seemed almost as if we were ascending the height under us, and when we passed over its summit, which rose in appearance to within a few feet of our boat, and 'came again to the descent...
Page 25 - I made, nothing appeared to me so extraordinary as the inmost recesses of the deep thus unveiled to the eye. The surface of the ocean was unruffled by the slightest breeze, and the gentle splashing of the oars scarcely disturbed it. Hanging over the gunwale of the boat with wonder and delight, I gazed on the slowly moving scene below.
Page 231 - ... ocean. It is divided into distinct columns of five or six miles in length and three or four in breadth, and they drive the water before them with a kind of rippling...
Page 15 - Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait, Tempest the ocean : there leviathan, Hugest of living creatures, on the deep Stretched like a promontory, sleeps or swims, And seems a moving land ; and at his gills Draws in, and at his trunk spouts out, a sea.
Page 263 - This theory has been fully adopted by Sir E. Home, from whose paper I have made the above quotation. ' If,' says the enthusiastic Baronet, ' I shall prove that this, the richest jewel in a monarch's crown, which cannot be imitated by any art of man, either in...
Page 80 - ... boat, took the alarm, and again fled. I now supposed it would be seen no more ; nevertheless, we chased nearly a mile in the direction I imagined it had taken, and placed the boats, to the best of my judgment, in the most advantageous situations. In this case we were extremely fortunate. The fish rose near one of the boats and was immediately harpooned. In a few minutes two more harpoons entered its back, and lances were plied against it with vigour and success. Exhausted by its amazing exertions...
Page 9 - Leviathan, which God of all his works Created hugest that swim the ocean stream...
Page 289 - He meant, he made us to behold and love What he beholds and loves, the general orb Of life and being; to be great like him, Beneficent and active. Thus the men Whom Nature's works can charm, with God himself Hold converse; grow familiar, day by day, With his conceptions, act upon his plan; And form to his, the relish of their souls.
Page 286 - These arts of love diffuses? What, but God? Inspiring God ! who, boundless Spirit all, And unremitting Energy, pervades, Adjusts, sustains, and agitates the whole. He ceaseless works alone; and yet alone Seems not to work : with such perfection framed Is this complex stupendous scheme of things.
Page 289 - Actuated by this divine inspiration, man finds a fane in every grove ; and, glowing with devout fervour, he joins his song to the universal chorus, or muses the praise of the Almighty in more expressive silence.

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