Not P but Moby-Dick (52)

[Mike Jing]

OK. All five previous translations I have at hand took the second one, so I
thought I'd ask just to be sure. Thanks, Mark.


On Sun, Dec 10, 2023 at 6:01 AM Mark Kohut <mark.kohut at gmail.com> wrote:

> definition 1....
>
> On Sat, Dec 9, 2023 at 11:12 PM Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> From Chapter 68:
>>
>> True, from the unmarred dead body of the whale, you may scrape off with
>> your hand an infinitely thin, transparent substance, somewhat resembling
>> the thinnest shreds of isinglass, only it is almost as flexible and soft
>> as
>> satin; that is, previous to being dried, when it not only contracts and
>> thickens, but becomes rather hard and brittle.
>>
>> What does "isinglass" refer to here?
>>
>> 1. A firm whitish semitransparent substance (being a comparatively pure
>> form of gelatin) obtained from the sounds or air-bladders of some
>> freshwater fishes, esp. the sturgeon; used in cookery for making jellies,
>> etc., also for clarifying liquors, in the manufacture of glue, and for
>> other purposes. Also extended to similar substances made from hides,
>> hoofs,
>> etc.
>>
>> 2. A name given to mica, from its resembling in appearance some kinds of
>> isinglass.
>> --
>> Pynchon-L: https://waste.org/mailman/listinfo/pynchon-l
>>
>