Now, from this peculiar sideway position of the whale’s eyes, it is plain
that he can never see an object which is exactly ahead, no more than he
can one exactly astern… If your bitterest foe were walking straight towards
you, with dagger uplifted in broad day, you would not be able to see
him, any more than if he were stealing upon you from behind. In a word,
you would have two backs, so to speak; but, at the same time, also, two
fronts…
Moby Dick, Chapter 74, The Sperm Whale’s Head—Contrasted View
