SPERM WHALES 197 



the right side was 163 Ibs. 9^ ozs., as against 164 Ibs. 

 5^ ozs. for those of the left side. 



The sternum of the Cachalot is a roughly triangular 

 bone, made up of three pieces. Two of these are 

 paired and anterior, and enclose (in the dried skeleton) 

 a foramen between them ; the third piece is posterior 

 and smaller, and shows some indications of a longitu- 

 dinal division into two. Four (cartilaginous) ribs 

 seem to be attached to the sternum. 



" The scapula is higher in proportion to its breadth 

 than in any other Cetacean." It is remarkably con- 

 cave on the outer and convex on the inner side. 



There are six separate carpals (if we include the 

 pisiform), and the phalangeal formula is as follows : 

 I, i. II, 5 . Ill, 5. IV, 4. V )3 . 



AMBERGRIS 



Ambergris is a well-known product of this whale. 

 Though the name has obviously no connection with 

 this quality ambergris is a somewhat greasy substance, 

 found floating in the sea or more generally washed 

 ashore. It is a secretion of the intestine of the 

 Cachalot, comparable apparently to bezoar stones. 

 The fact that the substance was found to contain the 

 beaks of cuttlefish suggested its origin, which was con- 

 firmed by finding it actually in the alimentary canal 

 of a Cachalot. When taken from the alimentary 

 canal the substance is greasy and of a disagreeable 

 smell. After exposure it hardens and acquires its 

 ' peculiar sweet earthy odour." From certain chemi- 

 cal facts it has been inferred that ambergris is a biliary 



