ANIMAL PRODUCTS H9 



than the usual one of hitting them one by one upon 

 the back with a club. 



A by-product obtained from the oil of the sperm 

 whale and its allies is that known as spermaceti. 

 This is held suspended in the oil during the life of 

 the animals, is found principally in the cavity of 

 the head, but separates into a solid state after the 

 death of the creatures, when it becomes cold. It 

 then undergoes a process of purification or refining, 

 and ultimately issues as a pure white and almost 

 odourless substance which is used in the manufacture 

 of various ointments and for making the candles 

 which serve as a standard of light. 



Ambergris is another product of the sperm 

 whale which, although found occasionally in the 

 abdomen of the animal, is usually met with floating 

 upon the surface of the sea, or cast up upon the 

 shore. Most of that which is brought to this country 

 comes from the region of the Bahama Islands, but 

 it is to be found also in the Atlantic Ocean and off 

 the coasts of Brazil, Africa, China, Japan, the East 

 Indies, etc. It is a fatty substance of a general 

 grey colour, broken up with reddish veins running 

 through it in the manner of the markings upon 

 marble, and is believed to be secreted by the bile 

 of the creatures and formed in the intestines. In 

 the East it is used for perfumery, as a flavouring 

 material in cookery, and in pharmacy. Mankind 

 (or should I say womankind ?) is also indebted to 

 certain whales for the supply of the commodity 

 known as whalebone or baleen. 



In addition to ambergris, several other animal 



