"Out of the trunk, the branches grow; out of them, the twigs. So, in productive subjects, grow the chapters."
Musing: The title of this Chapter comes from the "notched stick of a peculiar form, some two feet in length, which is perpendicularly inserted into the starboard gunwale near the bow, for the purpose of furnishing a rest for the wooden extremity of the harpoons." Still, it is interesting that Melville begins this Chapter with a line about writing. And what a line it is. I often wonder if Melville inserted his own little jokes into this very somber book from time to time? I hope so anyway.