Posted on 03/30/2016 7:03:46 PM PDT by null and void
In the case of a small Sperm Whale the brains are accounted a fine dish. The casket of the skull is broken into with an axe, and the two plump, whitish lobes being withdrawn (precisely resembling two large puddings), they are then mixed with flour, and cooked into a most delectable mess, in flavor somewhat resembling calves' head, which is quite a dish among some epicures; and every one knows that some young bucks among the epicures, by continually dining upon calves' brains, by and by get to have a little brains of their own, so as to be able to tell a calf's head from their own heads; which, indeed, requires uncommon discrimination. And that is the reason why a young buck with an intelligent looking calf's head before him, is somehow one of the saddest sights you can see. The head looks a sort of reproachfully at him, with an "Et tu Brute!" expression.
Does anyone have an earlier cite?
[insert Larson cartoon of the first fly on a beached whale yelling “DIBS!” here]
Interesting.
I considered putting it in Breaking, but it is, after all, 165 years old...
Gypsies used to steal sperm whale brains.
I think you are totally misreading this. Calves are what you call whale babies also. And eating them makes you look like them. You are what you eat. So much so you look like a cannibal eating baby whale brains. So no.
If there is it would be referenced in this excellent book on prion diseases:
http://www.amazon.com/Family-That-Couldnt-Sleep-Unravelling/dp/1846270901/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459391549&sr=8-1&keywords=the+family+that+couldn%27t+sleep+unravelling+a+venetian+medical+mystery
Nope. Crystal clear in the book.
See chapter 65.
You can download it from The Gutenberg Project for free.
Read it and see if you agree with my take.
I think it’s more of a joke than that. He’s calling the ‘epicures’ idiots, basically, but some of them, by continually eating the calves brains become smart enough to at be able to at least tell their own brain from a whale calve’s.
nvrmnd
It was an interesting thought though. I never appreciated early English or American lit. I always had to work too hard to get through the phrasing and terminology to enjoy the actual story.
Very interesting. Passed it onto my wife (neurologist) for review.
It still is an interesting theory.
I see a certain elegance in even the common man’s speech that is missing from modern speech, fo’ shizzle...
Not the way I'd bet though...
I’ve read Moby Dick a couple of times. I will reread this passage again later. I’ll also see what the wife thinks. It is true that Melville can be a tad tedious.
Hah, that is true! But, being an engineer, I was more willing to put work into math and science than English.
What?? I’m never wrong, just ask my husband. ;p
You’re an engineer? Me too! Let’s...
eh? You’re married?
Dammit, the story of my life!
Never mind.
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