THE ODOUR OF MUSK. es 
the “ Retsal.”” The aroma is said to be due to the product of the 
secretion of some sebacic glands situated in the inguinal region of 
the animal. 
The Florida Alligator has four glands which secrete a whitish- 
yellow fluid possessing the exact odour of ordinary musk. ‘Two of 
these glands are situate on the lower part of the head immediately 
under the throat, and one on each side of the vent. A similar 
alligator is found in British Honduras. ‘There are two marine 
Turtle which have a strong smell of musk: the Chelonia caouana 
and Chelonia caretta. 
The Cerambyx moschata, a coleopterous insect, owes its specific 
name to the same cause. 
AMBERGRIS. 
It has been already remarked that some perfumes seem to be a 
result of decay or disease ; as an instance of this amongst fishes 
may be cited Ambergris, which is a biliary concretion of the 
Spermaceti Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and is, according 
to several authorities, an undoubted product of disease ; its odour 
recalls that of musk, but is much more delicate; it gives a per- 
manency to floral odours which are in themselves evanescent. 
For fixity and permanence the animal odours are unrivalled, and 
with careful blending in bouquet perfumes their identity is not 
predominant. A handkerchief scented with ambergris will retain 
the odour even after being washed. 
It has been repeatedly asserted that the odour of ambergris can 
be evolved from cow-dung by careful distillation of that unsavoury 
material, taken fresh, in the months of May and June. This 
assertion, originally made by an ancient writer on Chemistry (and 
Alchemy), does not appear to have been contradicted by modern 
scientists, and although rather a dirty experiment, it is worth 
testing—especially as the material is so easily obtainable, and 
competition has reduced the price of soap. Experiments made 
with the urine of the horse led to satisfactory results as regards 
the production of hippuric acid and its convertibility into benzoic 
acid *, 
Some early writers even go so far as to say that night-soil, 
* Pogg. Ann. xvil. p. 339; Ann. Chem. Pharm. xxvi. p. 60, xxviii. p. 40; 
Journ. Prakt. Chem. xxxvii. p. 244. 
