The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-03
AMBERGRIS.
CURIOUS FACTS CONCERNING
THIS VALUABLE SUBSTANCE.
supposed to Be the Result Of a Dis.
ease In Whalcs-Capture of One
AmDersris Whale Worth
100000

ease in Whales-Capture of One
Ambersris Whale Worth
$6O,OOOs
THREE spermaceti whales were
companionably floating about
1 in Southern waters one sun
g shiny day not SO very many
years ago. Two we're fine specimens
of the genus physeter; the third,
however, though OF the same species,
was lank and scrawny, and lolled list.
less]y on the dark blue surface OF the
Gulf Stream, while its more rotund
and sportive comrades slashed about
vigorously, and sent the limpid waters
far above them to fall in refreshing
sprays. It was mystery why any
whale at that season should have pre-.
sented an ill-fed condition, as the
feeding grounds had been unusually
we'll populated by the tentaculated
and foul.moutled cutie fish, and no
whale had need to go a single day
with an empty stomach. Perhaps if
the two we'll conditioned animals had
been less frolicsome, and the third
more aroused, they would have been
on the alert for defence, as it was, a
long, narrow boat, pointed at both
ends, bore down unobserved upon
them, and the whalemen sent with
unerriug aim their weapons straight
into the two bulky creatures. The
scrawny whale escaped, though it
made no motion to get away; but be.
cause it was evident there would be
but little, if any, oil or spermaceti in
the animal, and because the capture of
the two specimens had been more
than was expected, it was left unmo.
Tested, still rocking lazlly in the sea.
Next day, to the amazement of the
whalemen, the animal was seen in al
most exactly the same spot, as though
inviting death. Forthwith it, too. was
disposed of, the easiest task, the men
agreed, that they had in many a day.
But little more than two barrels of oil
were found IN the emaciated whale.
Another and vastly more important
discovery was the largest single lot OF
ambergris ever sold in this country.
It was exchanged for a check signed
by we'll known drug firm OF this city,
whose figures rounded close onto $780,
600! Never had so large check been
seen till then in the little Cape Cod
fishing town where it was divided
among the whalemen of the feet, as
each man on a whaler receives certain
percentage of the proceeds OF voy-
age. The number of pounds found
aggregated over 100, valued at $50 per
ounce, the price paid for the best am.
bergris.
It would seem that the animal had
sickened OF malady caused by the
unnatural growth, and such was un-
doubtedly the case, and, if its suffer.
ings had not been brought to an end
by the whalemen, it would have lin.
gered till the disease itself had finally
caused death. Such profound mys.
terry has surrounded this strange sub
ject, and so many fallacies have been
written in regard to it, that some of
the latter encyclopedias have-per-
haps wisely--lelt it untouched, or, if
treating 1t at all, have yentured on but
the Barest general1ties, for trustwcr.
thy facts relating to this most inter-
esting and singular product are few
and far between.
Ambergris is now ascertained be.
yond doubt to be generated by the
large.headed sperm whale, and is the
result of the diseased state of the
animal. The victim of this rare NAL.
ady may possibly, in extremely rare
cases (but Of this we are not convinced
by actual knowledge, throw off the
morbi6c substance, or finally die OF
the ailment. The disease is located in
the intestinal canal, and some savants
suppose it to be caused by hillary
irritation. After deep study on the
subject several modern scientists have
agreed that the disorder is akin to the
new fashionable human peril, appen.
dicitis, intensified and prolonged in
this great mammal.
II is known that the ambergris
whale feeds upon the cuttle6sh. This
creature is armed upon its head with
sharp pointed, curved back horn re-
sembling a birds beak, much like that
OF a parrot, only the lower mandible
is the largest. This is found-as it is
too indestructible to be digested-in
many specimens of ambergris, and
may oftentimes aid in establishing a
seated disease. 1t may be considered,
though, to be but the primary cause
of irritation, as much OF the finest
ambergris is entirely free from the
tough little horn. Such is the effect
in the whale Of the magni6ed-and