Smithsonian Report, 1959—Idyll PLATE 2 
re \ | 
1. A simple test for ambergris is to heat a piece of wire for about 15 seconds and press it into 
the sample. If it is genuine ambergris, a dark resinous liquid will form around the wire 
and appear to boil. 
2. This is one of the largest pieces of 3. The sperm whale is the sole source of ambergris. 
ambergris ever found, being over a Considering its huge size, it has a small mouth. 
yard in diameter. 
