“It is not my intention, were it in my power, to enter into the inquiry as to the true method of dividing the cetacea into groups and families.⁠ ⁠… Utter confusion exists among the historians of this animal” (sperm whale), says Surgeon Beale, AD 1839.

“Unfitness to pursue our research in the unfathomable waters.” “Impenetrable veil covering our knowledge of the cetacea.” “A field strewn with thorns.” “All these incomplete indications but serve to torture us naturalists.”