英语听书《白鲸记》第670期
英语课
Moreover, while in most other animals that I can now think of, 而且,就我这时所能想到的其它多数动物说来,
the eyes are so planted as imperceptibly to blend their visual power, so as to produce one picture and not two to the brain; 两只眼睛这么长法会不知不觉地把两只眼睛的视力给混在一起,使得脑海里产生出一个而不是两个画面;
the peculiar 1 position of the whale's eyes, effectually divided as they are by many cubic feet of solid head, 可是,鲸眼的这种特殊的位置,实际上两只眼睛好象让这只好几平方英尺的大头给隔开来,
which towers between them like a great mountain separating two lakes in valleys; 而那只头,高踞在它们中间,犹如一座大山把溪谷分成两个大湖;
this, of course, must wholly separate the impressions which each independent organ imparts. 这自然一定会把每只眼睛所获得的印象都给完全分开了。
The whale, therefore, must see one distinct picture on this side, and another distinct picture on that side; 因此,大鲸一定是在这一边看到了一幅明晰的画面,又在另一边看到了另一幅明晰的画面;
while all between must be profound darkness and nothingness to him. 至于所有处在中间的东西,在它看来一定是漆黑一团、空无所有了。
Man may, in effect, be said to look out on the world from a sentry-box with two joined sashes for his window. 实际上,人类观察世界万物,可说是从一个有两只连在一起的玻璃窗框的哨亭里望出去的。
But with the whale, these two sashes are separately inserted, making two distinct windows, but sadly impairing 2 the view. 可是,就大鲸说来,这两只窗框却是各自分开装置,结果虽是两扇明亮的玻璃窗,可惜却损伤了视力。
This peculiarity 3 of the whale's eyes is a thing always to be borne in mind in the fishery; 鲸眼的这种特点就是捕鱼业中必须时刻谨记在心的,
and to be remembered by the reader in some subsequent scenes. 也是读者在以后的若干场景中势必会回想到的一件事情。
A curious and most puzzling question might be started concerning this visual matter as touching 4 the Leviathan. 关于说到大海兽这种视觉方面的事情,也许会产生一个奇特而最使人迷惑的问题。
But I must be content with a hint. 不过,我必须一说为快。
So long as a man's eyes are open in the light, the act of seeing is involuntary; 只要人的眼睛是在光线里张开来的,这种观看的动作就是不知不觉的了;
that is, he cannot then help mechanically seeing whatever objects are before him. 就是说,他势必是无意识地看到一切显现在他眼前的东西。
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
- He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
- He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
v.损害,削弱( impair的现在分词 )
- Carbon monoxide is definitely capable of impairing cardiovascular function. 一氧化碳确实能损害心血管机能。 来自辞典例句
- Could it be effected without impairing his reputation as well as his fortune? 他能否不损害他的声誉和财富而办到这一点呢? 来自辞典例句
n.独特性,特色;特殊的东西;怪癖
- Each country has its own peculiarity.每个国家都有自己的独特之处。
- The peculiarity of this shop is its day and nigth service.这家商店的特点是昼夜服务。
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白鲸记