🔊 That the whales of the world are eventually to be aggregated in one vast body, is a problem which, though it may in part be true, is not wholly so. But even if it were, the spectacle of might and majesty presented by such an aggregation would be unparalleled in the animal kingdom. As it is, however, they are mostly found in schools, of various sizes, from the small family party of three or four individuals, to the immense herds that sometimes cover acres of the sea.

世界上的鲸鱼终将聚集成一个庞大群体的说法,固然有几分道理,却也并非全然可信。但即便真是如此,这般聚合所展现的威力与威严,在动物界中也是无与伦比的。然而实际上,鲸鱼多以鲸群形式出现,规模大小不一,小则三两头如家庭般结伴,大则成百上千,有时可覆盖数英亩的海域。

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aggregated /ˈæɡrɪɡeɪtɪd/

v. 聚集,集合➕

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spectacle /ˈspektəkl/

n. 壮观的景象,场面➕

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unparalleled /ʌnˈpærəleld/

adj. 无比的,无双的,空前的➕

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immense /ɪˈmens/

adj. 巨大的,广大的➕

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herds /hɜːrdz/

n. 兽群,牧群➕

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acres /ˈeɪkərz/

n. 英亩（土地面积单位）➕

🔊 The female whales are commonly more gregarious than the males. The latter, especially when full-grown, are often found solitary, or in small bands of two or three; while the females, with their young, form themselves into larger companies.

雌鲸通常比雄鲸更喜群居。而雄鲸,特别是完全成年后,常常独来独往,或仅两三头结成小群；雌鲸则携幼鲸组成更大的群体。

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gregarious /ɡrɪˈɡeriəs/

adj. 群居的,爱社交的➕

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solitary /ˈsɑːləteri/

adj. 独自的,单独的；喜欢独处的➕

🔊 These schools of females are presided over by some one old whale, who, from her superior age and experience, seems to act as the leader and protector of the rest. She is the schoolmistress, and the others are her pupils.

这类雌鲸群往往由一头年长的雌鲸主导,她凭其年资与经验,看似担任着群中领袖与保护者的角色。她便是这鲸群的教师,其余鲸鱼则是她的学生。

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presided /prɪˈzaɪdɪd/

v. 主持,主管,统辖➕

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superior /suːˈpɪriər/

adj. （级别或地位）更高的；更好的,更优的➕

🔊 But among the males, there are certain individuals who, from their solitary and morose disposition, are called 'schoolmasters.' These are usually old whales, of large size and strength, who, having survived many battles and escapes, have become cautious and wary.

然而在雄鲸之中,有些个体因性情孤僻而阴郁,被称作“鲸师”。这些鲸通常年事已高,体型庞大,力量强健,身经百战而屡次脱险,因此变得谨慎机警。

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morose /məˈroʊs/

adj. 阴郁的,闷闷不乐的➕

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disposition /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃn/

n. 性情,性格➕

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schoolmasters /ˈskuːlmæstərz/

n. （尤指旧时的）男教师；校长（本文中指代特定类型的雄鲸）➕

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cautious /ˈkɔːʃəs/

adj. 小心的,谨慎的➕

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wary /ˈweri/

adj. 谨慎的,小心翼翼的,警惕的➕

🔊 A schoolmaster whale is often found in the vicinity of a school of females, but not mingling with them. He seems to act as a sort of guardian or sentinel, keeping watch against danger, and ready to give the alarm or to fight in defence of the school.

鲸师鲸常出现在雌鲸群附近,却不与它们混居。他犹如一名守卫或哨兵,时刻警惕危险,随时准备发出警报或为保卫鲸群而战。

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vicinity /vəˈsɪnəti/

n. 附近,邻近地区➕

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mingling /ˈmɪŋɡlɪŋ/

v. 混合,相混；交往➕

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sentinel /ˈsentɪnl/

n. 哨兵,卫兵➕

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alarm /əˈlɑːrm/

n. 警报；惊慌➕

🔊 The schoolmaster is also known for his peculiar method of teaching the young males, who sometimes form small schools under his tuition. He leads them in their migrations, and instructs them in the art of avoiding enemies and capturing prey.

鲸师还以其独特的方式教导年轻雄鲸而闻名,这些年轻雄鲸有时会组成小群接受他的指导。他引领它们迁徙,并传授避敌捕食的技巧。

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tuition /tuˈɪʃn/

n. 教学,讲授；学费➕

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migrations /maɪˈɡreɪʃnz/

n. 迁徙,迁移➕

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prey /preɪ/

n. 猎物；受害者➕

🔊 Thus, while other animals are gregarious in a common way, the whale’s gregariousness is of a peculiar sort, and his schools are regulated by laws as strict as those of any convent or college.

由此可见,其他动物的群居方式较为寻常,而鲸鱼的群居习性却独树一帜,其鲸群受着严格的规约,严苛程度堪比任何修道院或学院的规章。

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convent /ˈkɑːnvent/

n. 女修道院➕

Chapter eighty-eight: Schools and Schoolmasters. (第八十八章:鲸群与鲸师)

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