Apparatus and Methods of Capture. 97 
is a secretion from the intestines of the sperm whale, and 
is generally regarded as the result of disease. It is 
occasionally found floating at sea or is picked up along 
the shore, but more often it is extracted from the whale 
itself. Ambergris is comparatively rare, being worth 
more than its weight in gold. Its chief use is in the 
preparation of fine perfumeries, because of its property 
of thoroughly and aha au: the different 
ingredients. 
From the very nature of its occurrence there is no Tegu- 
lar supply of ambergris and the quantity imported is 
usually very limited. In this connection, however, it 
is interesting to note an item by Simmonds” who says 
“Strangely enough this substance is brought to Mogador 
(in northern Morocco) in considerable quantities by the 
Timbuctoo caravans from the interior of Africa, it prob- 
ably finding its way there from the west coast. At 
Mogador it sells for about £20 per pound. Most of the 
well-to-do Moors have ambergris in their houses and they 
use it in green tea as a flavoring, one of the greatest 
compliments to a guest is to present him with a cup of 
this strange mixture.”’ It would be interesting to know 
the source of this supply of the precious ambergris, but 
neither Simmonds nor any other writers make any 
further mention of it. 
7 Simmonds, p. 390. 
8 Written in 1877. 
