The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-10-20

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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
lcssly on the dark blue surface of tho
Gulf Stream, while itsImore rotund
and sportive comrades slashed about
vigorously, and sent the limpid waters
lar above them to fall in refreshing
| sprays. 1t was n mystery why any
whalo Mt that season should have pre-
scented an ill-fcd condition, as the
FEEDING grounds had been unusually
vol populated by the tentaculated
and foul-mouthed cutie fish, and no
whale had need to 90 q single dav
with an empty stomach. Perhaps If
the two well conditioned animals had
been less frolicsome, and the third
more aroused, they would have been
on the alert for defence. AS it was, n
long, marrow boat, pointed at both
ends, bore down unobserved upon
them, and the whalemen sent with
unerring aim their weapons straight
into tho two bulky creatures. The
scrawny whale escaped, though it
made no motion to get away; but be.
but little, If any, oil or spermaceti in
the animal, and because the capture Of
the two specimens had been moro
than was expected, it was left unmo.
lcstcd, still rocking lazlly in the sen.
Next day, to the amQZement of the
whnlemen, the animal was seen in al
most exactly the same spot, rs though
inviting death. Forthwith it, too, was
| disposed of, the easiest task, the mon
agreed, that they had in many n day.
But little moro than two barrels of oil
were found IN tho emnciated whale.
Another and vastly moro important
discovery was the largest single lot OF
| ambergris ever sold in this country.
1t was exchanged for check signed
by we'll known drug firm of this city,
whose figures rounded close onto $50,
600 Never had so large n check been
seen till then In the little Cape Cod
fishing town where it was divided
among the whalemen OF tho fleet, rs
each man on n whalerrccives certain
percentage of the proceeds of voy-
age. The number of pounds found
aggregated over $50, valued at $50 per
ounce, the price paid for the best am.
bergris.
1t would seem that the animal had
sickened of malady caused by tue
unnatural growth, and such was un.
doubtedly tho case, and, if It's suffer
ings had not been brought to an eud
by the whalemen, it would have lin.
gered filth disease itself had finally
caused death. Such profound mys-
terry has surrounded this strange sub
lcct, and so many fnllncies have been
written In regard to it, that come of
the latter encyclopedias have-per-
haps wisely--leIt it untouched, or, If
treating 1T Mt all, have ventured on but
the barest generalIties, for trustwcr.
thy facts relating to this most inter
esting and singular product are few
and far between. =.
Ambergris is now ascortainei be-
yond doubt to be generated by the
large headed sperm whale, and is tho
result of tho Diseased. state. OF the
animal. The victim of this raro NAL
ady may possibly, in extremely rare
cases 'tbnt Of this we.are not convinced
by actual knowledge, ..tltov off tho
morbIlic substance, or finally die of
the ailment. The disease is locafed.in
the intestinal canal, and somo silvetits
suppose it to be tcaused by billiary
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.
1t IS known that the anbcrsfis
whale feeds upon the cuttlefisli This
creature is armed upon its head with
a sharp pointed, curved bnck holm TO-.
sembling Il birds beal,, much'liEe that
Ola parrot, only tho lower 1nandibke
is TITO largest. This is found-as il is
too indestructiblo TO be digrsted-i in
many specimens OF ambergris. and
may, oftontimcB aid in establishing a
scntei disease. IL may be considered,
though, 30 be but the primary cause
Of irritation, rs much Of thcUfbest
ambcrgris IS entirely free from The
tough ljttlc horn. Such is The eject
in tho whale Of tho magniGed-
tremendously ngniliCd-illnogs which
tobiishcd in our own conpngatiyely
puuy organism causes fatal collapse.
unless quickly ond.hcrbicnllf attacked
by the almost mirocuBsus modern skill
81 tho. surgeons giftca.hnnd.
Almost awcstruck nrc the sailors
when the cry Of "Ambcrgris :" is Mt.
tered This is tho happy sveut Of a
lifetime, The substance is carefully
t1Fqn from tho bowels of tho whale
oniis packed ia ctskg,it it is Ia liquid
form, or iu sucks II It is dry suoush.
" is then brought, IN IT'S nausoatiusIv
oIori'crOu7 condition, direct 60 Bos-
ton, where 10 is appraised by the head
OF tho largest drug firm i'm the citv.
This young man has no cuyieblo task
before bin. iu asccrtoiuing tho value
pi tIa article. Tic has 60 .cxamir the
ictit mass. which rs sometimes ID n
rauk liquid state, sometimes of tho
consistency OF soft putty, aud acain n
ohniklikc substance That which is
more like putty usually IS TO Be best
rclioi ON for making tho best market
nmbcrgris, ond gradually "a it dries
Tho only curing process H ander.
goethe unwholesomo dark shade
tlrus 20 a soft squirrel gray. The
substances lightons in weight, and tho
subtle fascinating odor develops, as
odor almost indescribablo, like the