41*7 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Best spermaceti Amhersrris. 



The best spermaceti, however, is from the ca- 

 vities of the cachalot's head. The first cavity is 

 filled with that spermaceti which is supposed of 

 tl>e greatest purity and highest value. Seven 

 barrels of the clearest spermaceti is generally the 

 produce of this cavity, which, when thrown upon 

 water, coagulates like cheese. There is also 

 another chamber or cavity, just over the gullet, 

 about seven feet high that affords a considerable 

 quantity, though of less value than the first. It 

 is observable, that in proportion as the oily sub- 

 stance is drawn from this part, it fills again from 

 every part of the body. The spinal marrow also 

 affords no inconsiderable quantity. This sub- 

 >tance ha* become not more an article of manu- 

 facture than a medicine; and of which candles, 

 cheaper, though not less elegant than wax, arc 

 plentifully made. 



The ambergris is a solid, opake, ash-coloured, 

 fattv inflammable substance, variegated like 

 marble, remarkably light, rugged and uneven in 

 its surface, and has a fragrant odour when 

 healed, it is found swimming upon the sea, or 

 the sea coa>t, or in the sand near the sea coast; 

 >p ciallv in the Atlantic < )cean, on the sea coast 

 of Brasil, and that of .Madagascar; on the coast 

 of Africa, of the East Indies, China, .Japan, and 

 Molueco Islands; but most of the ambergris 

 which is brought to England, comes from the 

 Bahama islands, from Providence, &c. where 

 it is found on the coast. It is also sometimes 



