The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-08-27

IaSnlOndOle human peril, appenulcClS
intensified and prolonged in this great
mammal.
1t is known that the ambergris
whale feeds upon the cuttlefsh. This
creature is armed upon its head with
a sharp-pointed, curved black horn
resembling a birds beak, much like
that Of a parrot, only the lower mand-
ible 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
seated disease. It may be considered
though, to be but the primary cause
of irritation, as much of the first amb
ergris is entirely free from the tough
little horn. Such is the effect in the
whale Of the magnified-and tremend-
ously magnified-illness which when
established in our own comparatively
puny organism causes a fatal collapse,
unless quickly and herocally attacked
by the almost miraculous modern
skill Of the surgeons gifted hand.
The habits of the great water mann
mails, however tend to prolong life,
and their resisting power against the
the insidious destroyer is eloquent of
their tenacious hold on existence.
When we realize the enormous physi-
cal strength Of the whale we wonder
less at its combative force. These
great sea creatures are not fish, strictly
speaking, but the largest of living
animals-warm blooded, air breathing,
bringing forth their young usually
singly) alive, and sucking them for a
definite period.
When the whale is finally captured
and please bear in mind that we
are speaking Of the sperm and amber
girls whale alone-it is taken in tow
along the ships side. The cutting
process is then begun. The tough
outer skin and true skin-of which re-
cent observations prove the blubber is
part-are then cut up and boiled,
extreme precaution being taken that
the woodwork of the vessel does not
ignite in the progress. The bot oil is
then lowered in casks to swing in the
trail of the ships until it cools: then
it is lowered to the vessels depths.
From 1900 to 1000 barrels is con-
sidered bon voyage.
To the conservative whale fisher of
New Bedford or Provincetown the
discovery of ambergris is as unexpect-
ed and as longed for as the sheeny
splendor of the pearl that gladdens
the pearl fisher, or the sparkle of the
diamond that sends it's radiance
straight to the heart of the miner
There is that delightful uncertainty,
that same shake and throw doubt that
allures the Spectator to take his
chance; though that of the whalemen
is much more legitimate business, for
with the zeal that characterizes these
merchants of the ocean there is coup
led the absolute certainty of reduplica
ton according to their efforts.
Almost awestruck are the sailors
when the cry of "Ambergris." is utter
ed. This is the happy event of life
time. The substance is carefully
taken from the bowels of the whale
and is packed in casks, if it is in liquid
form, or in sacks if it is dry enough.
1t is then brought, in it's nauseatingly
odoriferous condition, direct to Boston,
where it is appraised by the head of
the largest drug firm in the city.
This young man has no enviable task
before him in ascertaining the value
of the article. He has to examine the
fetid mass, which is sometimes in
rank liquid state, sometimes of the
consistency of soft putty, and again a
chalk-like substance. That which is
more like putty usually is to be best
relied on for making the best market
ambergris, and gradually as it dries
the only curing process it undergoes--
the unwholesome dark shade turns to
soft squirrel gray. The substance
lightens in weight, and the subtle
fascinating odor develops, an odor
almost indescribable, like the blend
ing of ,new-mown hay, the damp
woody fragrance of fern copse, and
the faintest possible perfume of the
violet.
And to what use is ambergris put?
1t is al indispensable article with fine