Chapter 77: Moby Dick

The chapter describes the "Heidelburgh Tun", or the valuable spermaceti that lies within the head of the whale. The oil when exposed to air forms beautiful crystalline shoots. This makes the death of a whale seem more beautiful than when it is alive. Ishmael then goes to say, "almost fatal operation whereby the sperm whale's great Heidelburgh Tun is tapped, as if the whale is still dangerous after death. Could this be the dread goddess's veil that was mentioned earlier.