224 ZOOLOGY. 



from this species alone. It is very generally diffused 

 through the blubber, but obtains in largest quantity, 

 and in the greatest state of purity, in the fatty structures 

 of the head of the whale, whence its technical name 

 " head-matter :" the only part of the body possessing 

 it in a similarly concentrated state, being the dorsal 

 hump. 



The quantity of Spermaceti obtained from each Ca- 

 chalot may be estimated at one sixth of the entire pro- 

 duce of the whale, but is liable to variation. It is 

 remarked by whalers, that the Cachalots they capture 

 during the Japan cruise, or in the North Pacific, afford, 

 on an average, less of this material than those they take 

 in the vicinity of the Equator. 



Crude Spermaceti, as newly obtained from the case 

 of the whale, is fluid, transparent, nearly colourless, 

 without odour, and has a bland and creamy taste, not 

 unlike that of very fresh butter. It does not concrete 

 at the ordinary temperature of the tropics, at sea, (or 

 from 77 to 80 of thermometer in the shade,) but in 

 low temperatures, or when cast into cold water, it 

 assumes a dull-white hue and the consistence of lard. 



In no part of the whale do we find Spermaceti with- 

 out a greater or less admixture of Sperm-oil, and to 

 separate the one from the other is the business of the 

 manufacturer who prepares either commodity for the 

 market. The "head-matter," as received from the 

 whaler, is first submitted to strong pressure in hair 

 bags, to rid it of a principal portion of the oil it con- 

 tains ; and is subsequently melted, and boiled in a 

 weak solution of potash, and in alcohol. It is then cast 

 into moulds, when it assumes the crystallized, or flaky 

 form, and silvery lustre, which characterises the Sper- 

 maceti, or Cetaceum, of the shops. In this state its 



