COMMANDER FARRAGUT was a good seaman¹, worthy² of the frigate³ he commanded. His ship and he were one. He was its very soul. On the cetacean question no doubts arose in his mind, and he didn't allow the animal's existence to be disputed aboard his vessel⁴. He believed in it as certain pious⁵ women believe in the leviathan from the Book of Job--out of faith, not reason. The monster existed, and he had vowed⁶ to rid the seas of it. The man was a sort of Knight⁷ of Rhodes, a latter-day Sir Dieudonné of Gozo, on his way to fight an encounter with the dragon devastating⁸ the island. Either Commander Farragut would slay⁹ the narwhale, or the narwhale would slay Commander Farragut. No middle of the road for these two.

The ship's officers shared the views of their leader. They could be heard chatting, discussing, arguing, calculating the different chances of an encounter, and observing the vast expanse of the ocean. Voluntary watches from the crosstrees of the topgallant sail were self-imposed by more than one who would have cursed such toil¹¹ under any other circumstances. As often as the sun swept over its daily arc, the masts were populated with sailors whose feet itched¹² and couldn't hold still on the planking of the deck below! And the Abraham Lincoln's stempost hadn't even cut the suspected waters of the Pacific.

As for the crew, they only wanted to encounter the

点击收听单词发音  

1 seaman
n.海员，水手，水兵
参考例句：
That young man is a experienced seaman.那个年轻人是一个经验丰富的水手。 The Greek seaman went to the hospital five times.这位希腊海员到该医院去过五次。

2 worthy
adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的
参考例句：
I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。 There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

3 frigate
n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰
参考例句：
An enemy frigate bore down on the sloop.一艘敌驱逐舰向这只护航舰逼过来。 I declare we could fight frigate.我敢说我们简直可以和一艘战舰交战。

4 vessel
n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管
参考例句：
The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。 You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

5 pious
adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的
参考例句：
Alexander is a pious follower of the faith.亚历山大是个虔诚的信徒。 Her mother was a pious Christian.她母亲是一个虔诚的基督教徒。

6 vowed
起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）
参考例句：
He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。 I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

7 knight
n.骑士，武士；爵士
参考例句：
He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。 A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。

8 devastating
adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的
参考例句：
It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。 Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

9 slay
v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮
参考例句：
He intended to slay his father's murderer.他意图杀死杀父仇人。 She has ordered me to slay you.她命令我把你杀了。

10 gallant
adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的
参考例句：
Huang Jiguang's gallant deed is known by all men. 黄继光的英勇事迹尽人皆知。 These gallant soldiers will protect our country.这些勇敢的士兵会保卫我们的国家的。

11 toil
vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事
参考例句：
The wealth comes from the toil of the masses.财富来自大众的辛勤劳动。 Every single grain is the result of toil.每一粒粮食都来之不易。

12 itched
v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
Seeing the children playing ping-pong, he itched to have a go. 他看到孩子们打乒乓，不觉技痒。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 He could hardly sIt'still and itched to have a go. 他再也坐不住了，心里跃跃欲试。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

13 unicorn
n.(传说中的)独角兽
参考例句：
The unicorn is an imaginary beast.独角兽是幻想出来的动物。 I believe unicorn was once living in the world.我相信独角兽曾经生活在这个世界。

14 harpoon
n.鱼叉；vt.用鱼叉叉，用鱼叉捕获
参考例句：
The harpoon drove deep into the body of the whale.渔叉深深地扎进鲸鱼体内。 The fisherman transfixed the shark with a harpoon.渔夫用鱼叉刺住鲨鱼。

15 scrupulous
adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的
参考例句：
She is scrupulous to a degree.她非常谨慎。 Poets are not so scrupulous as you are.诗人并不像你那样顾虑多。

16 mythological
adj.神话的
参考例句：
He is remembered for his historical and mythological works. 他以其带有历史感和神话色彩的作品而著称。 But even so, the cumulative process had for most Americans a deep, almost mythological significance. 不过即使如此，移民渐增的过程，对于大部分美国人，还是意味深长的，几乎有不可思议的影响。

17 logic
n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性
参考例句：
What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑？ I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。

18 lone
adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的
参考例句：
A lone sea gull flew across the sky.一只孤独的海鸥在空中飞过。 She could see a lone figure on the deserted beach.她在空旷的海滩上能看到一个孤独的身影。

19 utterly
adv.完全地，绝对地
参考例句：
Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民，把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。 I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。

20 mechanism
n.机械装置；机构，结构
参考例句：
The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。 The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

21 cannon
n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮
参考例句：
The soldiers fired the cannon.士兵们开炮。 The cannon thundered in the hills.大炮在山间轰鸣。

22 projectile
n.投射物，发射体；adj.向前开进的；推进的；抛掷的
参考例句：
The vertical and horizontal motions of a projectile can be treated independently.抛射体的竖直方向和水平方向的运动能够分开来处理。 Have you altered the plans of the projectile as the telegram suggests?你已经按照电报的要求修改炮弹图样了吗?

23 harpooner
参考例句：
When a boat got close enough to the whale, the harpooner threw his harpoon at it. 等船非常接近鲸鱼时，鱼叉手就以鱼叉向它投射。 来自互联网

24 uncommon
adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的
参考例句：
Such attitudes were not at all uncommon thirty years ago.这些看法在30年前很常见。 Phil has uncommon intelligence.菲尔智力超群。

25 dexterity
n.(手的)灵巧，灵活
参考例句：
You need manual dexterity to be good at video games.玩好电子游戏手要灵巧。 I'm your inferior in manual dexterity.论手巧，我不如你。

26 virtues
美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处
参考例句：
Doctors often extol the virtues of eating less fat. 医生常常宣扬少吃脂肪的好处。 She delivered a homily on the virtues of family life. 她进行了一场家庭生活美德方面的说教。

27 possessed
adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的
参考例句：
He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。 He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

28 crafty
adj.狡猾的，诡诈的
参考例句：
He admired the old man for his crafty plan.他敬佩老者的神机妙算。 He was an accomplished politician and a crafty autocrat.他是个有造诣的政治家，也是个狡黠的独裁者。

29 baleen
n.鲸须
参考例句：
Other baleen whales have splash guards too,but not like this.一些须鲸物种头顶也有护住喷水孔的构造，但并不长成这样。 Baleen whales often appear in this region. Be careful!这一带经常有须鲸出没，要注意安全啊。

30 astute
adj.机敏的，精明的
参考例句：
A good leader must be an astute judge of ability.一个优秀的领导人必须善于识别人的能力。 The criminal was very astute and well matched the detective in intelligence.这个罪犯非常狡猾，足以对付侦探的机智。

31 sperm
n.精子，精液
参考例句：
Only one sperm fertilises an egg.只有一个精子使卵子受精。 In human reproduction,one female egg is usually fertilized by one sperm.在人体生殖过程中，一个精子使一个卵子受精。

32 elude
v.躲避，困惑
参考例句：
If you chase it,it will elude you.如果你追逐着它， 它会躲避你。 I had dared and baffled his fury.I must elude his sorrow.我曾经面对过他的愤怒，并且把它挫败了；现在我必须躲避他的悲哀。

33 sociable
adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的
参考例句：
Roger is a very sociable person.罗杰是个非常好交际的人。 Some children have more sociable personalities than others.有些孩子比其他孩子更善于交际。

34 liking
n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢
参考例句：
The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。 I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。

35 epic
n.史诗，叙事诗；adj.史诗般的，壮丽的
参考例句：
I gave up my epic and wrote this little tale instead.我放弃了写叙事诗，而写了这个小故事。 They held a banquet of epic proportions.他们举行了盛大的宴会。

36 frightful
adj.可怕的；讨厌的
参考例句：
How frightful to have a husband who snores!有一个发鼾声的丈夫多讨厌啊！ We're having frightful weather these days.这几天天气坏极了。

37 marine
adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵
参考例句：
Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。 When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

38 dealing
n.经商方法，待人态度
参考例句：
This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。 His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

39 abreast
adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地
参考例句：
She kept abreast with the flood of communications that had poured in.她及时回复如雪片般飞来的大批信件。 We can't keep abreast of the developing situation unless we study harder.我们如果不加强学习，就会跟不上形势。

40 leeward
adj.背风的；下风的
参考例句：
The trees all listed to leeward.树木统统向下风方向倾。 We steered a course to leeward.我们向下风航驶。

41 plow
n.犁，耕地，犁过的地；v.犁，费力地前进[英]plough
参考例句：
At this time of the year farmers plow their fields.每年这个时候农民们都在耕地。 We will plow the field soon after the last frost.最后一场霜过后，我们将马上耕田。

42 skeptical
adj.怀疑的，多疑的
参考例句：
Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。 Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

43 fabulous
adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的
参考例句：
We had a fabulous time at the party.我们在晚会上玩得很痛快。 This is a fabulous sum of money.这是一笔巨款。

44 prehistoric
adj.（有记载的）历史以前的，史前的，古老的
参考例句：
They have found prehistoric remains.他们发现了史前遗迹。 It was rather like an exhibition of prehistoric electronic equipment.这儿倒像是在展览古老的电子设备。

45 astronomers
n.天文学者，天文学家( astronomer的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Astronomers can accurately foretell the date,time,and length of future eclipses. 天文学家能精确地预告未来日食月食的日期、时刻和时长。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Astronomers used to ask why only Saturn has rings. 天文学家们过去一直感到奇怪，为什么只有土星有光环。 来自《简明英汉词典》

46 geologists
地质学家，地质学者( geologist的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Geologists uncovered the hidden riches. 地质学家发现了地下的宝藏。 Geologists study the structure of the rocks. 地质学家研究岩石结构。

47 harpooned
v.鱼镖，鱼叉( harpoon的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
He said he once harpooned a 2, 000-pound shark off the coast of New York. 他称，他曾经在纽约海面上，用鱼叉捕获过一条重达2.000磅的鲨鱼。 来自互联网

48 tusk
n.獠牙，长牙，象牙
参考例句：
The wild boar had its tusk sunk deeply into a tree and howled desperately.野猪的獠牙陷在了树里，绝望地嗥叫着。 A huge tusk decorated the wall of his study.他书房的墙上装饰着一支巨大的象牙。

49 tusks
n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头
参考例句：
The elephants are poached for their tusks. 为获取象牙而偷猎大象。 Elephant tusks, monkey tails and salt were used in some parts of Africa. 非洲的一些地区则使用象牙、猴尾和盐。 来自英语晨读30分（高一）

50 puncture
n.刺孔，穿孔；v.刺穿，刺破
参考例句：
Failure did not puncture my confidence.失败并没有挫伤我的信心。 My bicycle had a puncture and needed patching up.我的自行车胎扎了个洞，需要修补。

51 vessels
n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人
参考例句：
The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》 All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

52 unicorns
n.（传说中身体似马的）独角兽( unicorn的名词复数 )；一角鲸；独角兽标记
参考例句：
Unicorns are legendary beasts. 独角兽是传说里的野兽。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Assemble50 Elder Druids, 30 Silver Unicorns and10 Green Dragons do defend it. 募集50个德鲁伊长老，30只银色独角兽和10条绿龙用于防御。 来自互联网

53 mollusk
n.软体动物
参考例句：
I swear I have never seen such a mollusk with thorns all over its body.我敢发誓我从来没有见过这种全身长满棘刺的软体动物。 The colour varies with the mollusk and its environment.颜色因母体及其环境的不同而异。

54 feats
功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 )
参考例句：
He used to astound his friends with feats of physical endurance. 过去，他表现出来的惊人耐力常让朋友们大吃一惊。 His heroic feats made him a legend in his own time. 他的英雄业绩使他成了他那个时代的传奇人物。

55 relegated
v.使降级( relegate的过去式和过去分词 )；使降职；转移；把…归类
参考例句：
She was then relegated to the role of assistant. 随后她被降级做助手了。 I think that should be relegated to the garbage can of history. 我认为应该把它扔进历史的垃圾箱。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

56 naturalist
n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者)
参考例句：
He was a printer by trade and naturalist by avocation.他从事印刷业，同时是个博物学爱好者。 The naturalist told us many stories about birds.博物学家给我们讲述了许多有关鸟儿的故事。

57 bantering
adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄
参考例句：
There was a friendly, bantering tone in his voice. 他的声音里流露着友好诙谐的语调。 The students enjoyed their teacher's bantering them about their mistakes. 同学们对老师用风趣的方式讲解他们的错误很感兴趣。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

58 penetrating
adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的
参考例句：
He had an extraordinarily penetrating gaze. 他的目光有股异乎寻常的洞察力。 He examined the man with a penetrating gaze. 他以锐利的目光仔细观察了那个人。

59 strata
n.地层（复数）；社会阶层
参考例句：
The older strata gradually disintegrate.较老的岩层渐渐风化。 They represent all social strata.他们代表各个社会阶层。

60 wink
n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁
参考例句：
He tipped me the wink not to buy at that price.他眨眼暗示我按那个价格就不要买。 The satellite disappeared in a wink.瞬息之间，那颗卫星就消失了。

61 denser
adj. 不易看透的, 密集的, 浓厚的, 愚钝的
参考例句：
The denser population necessitates closer consolidation both for internal and external action. 住得日益稠密的居民，对内和对外都不得不更紧密地团结起来。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源 As Tito entered the neighbourhood of San Martino, he found the throng rather denser. 蒂托走近圣马丁教堂附近一带时，发现人群相当密集。

62 vertical
adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置
参考例句：
The northern side of the mountain is almost vertical.这座山的北坡几乎是垂直的。 Vertical air motions are not measured by this system.垂直气流的运动不用这种系统来测量。

63 penetrates
v.穿过( penetrate的第三人称单数 )；刺入；了解；渗透
参考例句：
This is a telescope that penetrates to the remote parts of the universe. 这是一架能看到宇宙中遥远地方的望远镜。 来自《简明英汉词典》 The dust is so fine that it easily penetrates all the buildings. 尘土极细，能极轻易地钻入一切建筑物。 来自辞典例句

64 penetrate
v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解
参考例句：
Western ideas penetrate slowly through the East.西方观念逐渐传入东方。 The sunshine could not penetrate where the trees were thickest.阳光不能透入树木最浓密的地方。

65 neutralize
v.使失效、抵消，使中和
参考例句：
Nothing could neutralize its good effects.没有什么能抵消它所产生的好影响。 Acids neutralize alkalis and vice versa.酸能使碱中和碱，亦能使酸中和。

66 discomfort
n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便
参考例句：
One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。 She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。

67 precisely
adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地
参考例句：
It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。 The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

68 hydraulic
adj.水力的；水压的，液压的；水力学的
参考例句：
The boat has no fewer than five hydraulic pumps.这艘船配有不少于5个液压泵。 A group of apprentics were operating the hydraulic press.一群学徒正在开动水压机。

69 frigates
n.快速军舰( frigate的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Frigates are a vital part of any balanced sea-going fleet. 护卫舰是任何一个配置均衡的远洋舰队所必需的。 来自互联网 These ships are based on the Chinese Jiangwei II class frigates. 这些战舰是基于中国的江卫II型护卫舰。 来自互联网

70 inflict
vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担
参考例句：
Don't inflict your ideas on me.不要把你的想法强加于我。 Don't inflict damage on any person.不要伤害任何人。

71 hull
n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳
参考例句：
The outer surface of ship's hull is very hard.船体的外表面非常坚硬。 The boat's hull has been staved in by the tremendous seas.小船壳让巨浪打穿了。

72 dissecting
v.解剖（动物等）( dissect的现在分词 )；仔细分析或研究
参考例句：
Another group was dissecting a new film showing locally. 另外一批人正在剖析城里上演的一部新电影。 来自辞典例句 Probe into Dissecting Refraction Method Statics Processing under Complicated Surface Conditions. 不同地表条件下土壤侵蚀的坡度效应。 来自互联网

73 dissect
v.分割；解剖
参考例句：
In biology class we had to dissect a frog.上生物课时我们得解剖青蛙。 Not everyone can dissect and digest the public information they receive.不是每个人都可以解析和消化他们得到的公共信息的。

74 catching
adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住
参考例句：
There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。 Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

75 harpooning
v.鱼镖，鱼叉( harpoon的现在分词 )
参考例句：