CURIOUS CREATURES. 223 



other things. But this is discovered because that which 

 is sophistocated will easily become soft as Wax, but 

 pure Amber-greese will never melt so. It hath a corro- 

 borating force, and is good against swoundings and the 

 Epilepsie." 



As a matter of fact, it is believed to be a morbid 

 secretion in the intestinal canal of the whale, originating 

 in its bile. It is found in its bowels, and also floating 

 on the sea, grey-coloured, in lumps weighing from half 

 an ounce to one hundred pounds. Its price is about 

 3 per oz. It is much used in perfumery, but not in 

 medicine, at least in Europe : but in Asia and Africa, 

 it is, in some parts, so used, and also in cookery. 



Olaus Magnus, too, tells us of the benefits the whale 

 confers on the inhabitants of the cold and dreary North. 

 How they salt the flesh for future eating, and the use- 

 fulness of the fat for lighting and warming through the 

 long Arctic winter, while the small bones are used as 

 fuel. Of the skin of this useful mammal, they make 

 Belts, Bags, and Ropes, whilst a whole skin will clothe 

 forty men. But these are not all its uses. 



" Having spoken that the bodies of Whales are very 

 large, for their head, teeth, eyes, mouth and skin ; the 

 bones require a place to be described ; and it is thus. 

 Because the vehemency of Cold in the farther parts of 

 the North, and horrid Tempests there, will hardly suffer 

 Trees to grow up tall, whereof necessary houses may 

 be builded : therefore provident Nature hath provided 

 for the Inhabitants, that they may build their houses of 

 the most vast Ribs of Sea Creatures, and other things 

 belonging thereunto. For these monsters of the Sea, 

 being driven to land, either by some others that are 

 their Enemies, or drawn forth by the frequent fishing 



