But much abatement is necessary with respect to the incredible bulk he assigns it. 不过，对于他所提出的，它有一个大得叫人不敢相信的体躯这一点（据逢托波丹主教说克拉更的身围有一英里半。），却必须大打折扣。

　　By some naturalists who have vaguely heard rumors of the mysterious creature, here spoken of, it is included among the class of cuttle-fish, 这儿所提到的这种神秘的生物，据一些道听途说的博物学家的意见，应该把它归于墨鱼类，

　　to which, indeed, in certain external respects it would seem to belong, but only as the Anak of the tribe. 这就它某些外表看来，倒确实是应该属于此类，不过，就其种族说来，却还得算作亚衲族（亚衲族——《圣经》上住居于巴勒斯坦的一个被犹太人和约书亚所征服的民族，见《旧约·约书亚记》第十一章二十一节；又《旧约·民数记》第十三章三十三节上说亚衲族人就是指伟人，是伟人的后裔，这里作者用来讽喻这种克拉更应属于比墨鱼类更大的东西。）。

　　Chapter 60 The Line 第六十章 捕鲸索

　　With reference to the whaling scene shortly to be described, as well as for the better understanding of all similar scenes elsewhere presented, 因为不久就要描写捕鲸场面，同时，为了更好地了解在另些地方提到的一切类似的场面，

　　I have here to speak of the magical, sometimes horrible whale-line. 我必须在这里谈一谈那根不可思议的、有时可说是使人恐怖的捕鲸索。

　　The line originally used in the fishery was of the best hemp, slightly vapored with tar, not impregnated with it, as in the case of ordinary ropes; 捕鲸业原来所用的捕鲸索，都是用最好的大麻做成后，薄薄喷上一层柏油，而且象一般绳索那样，不是喷得很透；

　　for while tar, as ordinarily used, makes the hemp more pliable to the rope-maker, and also renders the rope itself more convenient to the sailor for common ship use;  因为通常用了柏油，就会使得大麻柔软，便利制索人编制，同时，制出来的索子也更便于一般船只的水手使用；

　　yet, not only would the ordinary quantity too much stiffen the whale-line for the close coiling to which it must be subjected; but as most seamen are beginning to learn, 不过，通常的用油量，不但会使捕鲸索太硬，不能把它按照需要卷得很紧；而且大部分水手也都开始知道，

　　tar in general by no means adds to the rope's durability or strength, however much it may give it compactness and gloss. 尽管柏油会使绳索结实、有光泽，可是，一般说来，柏油却绝对不会增加绳索的牢度和强度。