cf Amber gnft , 229 
have been once, of a very foft or liquid nature, as ctherwile 
thofe beaks could not lb conftantly be intermixed with it 
throughout its whole fubftance. 
I11 order to come now moreclofely to the point propofed (viz, 
to determine the origin and nature of ambergrife), let us recol- 
lect fome of the principal faffs relative to its natural hiftory. 
That ambergrife is found either upon the fea and fea-coaft, 
or in the bowels of whales, is a matter of faCt, which, I be- 
lieve, is univerfally credited. But it has never been examined 
into and determined, whether the ambergrife found upon the 
fea and fea-coaft is the fame as that found in the whale, or whe- 
ther they are different from one another? Whether that found 
on the fea or fea-coaft has fome properties, or conftituent parts, 
which that found in the whale has not? And laftly, Whether 
that found in the w r hale is fuperior or inferior in its qualities and 
value to the former? 
It is likewife a matter of confequence to know, Whether 
ambergrife is found in all kinds of whales, or only in a parti- 
cular fpecies of them ? Whether it is conftantly and always to 
be met with in thofe animals ? And, if fo, in what part of their 
body it is to be found ? 
It is further a matter of enquiry, Whether, on thofe coafts 
where ambergrife is found, there are alfo conftantly, or only 
accidentally, whales to be met with? Whether ambergrife is 
found there becaufe whales frequent thofe feas, or rather whe- 
ther whales are there becaufe ambergrife is to be met with 
there ? 
It ought likewife to be invefttgated, Whether all ambergrife 
is of the fame mineral or animal origin? It ot the former, 
whether it is lwallowed by the whale, and digefted or changed 
in fome manner in its ftomach? Or, it ot the latter, whether 
