The Tone Can Be Described As Contemplative, Didactic, And At Times Philosophical As The Narrator Provides Detailed Observations, Expresses Opinions About Natural History, And Finds Deeper Meanings In The Subject Matter.

The chapter discusses the nature of a whale's skin, particularly focusing on the sperm whale's blubber and the various markings across its body.

This chapter delves into an in-depth examination of the whale's skin, or more accurately, the sperm whale's blubber, which is likened to a thick, elastic blanket that keeps the whale insulated in all sorts of environments. The narrator refutes the idea of a whale's skin being delicate, providing an alternative perspective that the actual skin of the whale is an incredibly thin, isinglass-like substance that sits atop the blubber, almost invisible to the eye. The chapter also mentions the intricate and mysterious marks found on the whale's body, which resemble engravings and might hold unknown meanings. These marks, along with the scratches and scars from encounters with other whales or the environment, contribute to the whale's unique appearance. The author ends with a philosophical reflection on the whale's adaptations to its frigid habitat, comparing it to the virtues of being robust and adaptable in life, and encourages humans to emulate these traits.