AM′BERGRIS

(-grĭs; grēse‡). Syn. Grey amber *; Ambragri′′sea (grĭzh′-e-ă), L.; Ambregris , Fr.; Ambra , Ambar , Ger. An odorous, solid substance, found floating on the sea in tropical climates, and in the cæcum of the cachalot or spermaceti whale (physeter macrocephalus). It has been supposed by some to be a morbid secretion of the liver or intestines, analogous to biliary calculi; but according to Mr Beale, it consists of the mere indurated fæces of the animal, perhaps (as suggested by Brande and Pereira) somewhat altered by disease. “Some of the semifluid fæces, dried with the proper precautions, had all the properties of ambergris.” (Beale.) It is occasionally found in ma es weighing from 60 to 225 lbs. Prop., . Solid, opaque, ash-coloured, streaked or variegated, fatty, inflammable; remarkably light; highly odorous, [40] particularly when warmed, cut, or handled—the odour being peculiar and not easily described or imitated, of a very diffusive and penetrating character, and perceptible in minute quantities; rugged on the surface; does not effervesce with acids; melts at 140° to 150° Fahr. into a yellowish resin-like ma ; at 212° flies off as a white vapour; very soluble in alcohol, ether, and the volatile and fixed oils. It appears to be a non-saponifiable fat, analogous to cholesterine. Sp. gr. 0·780 to 0·926. [41] [40] It has a “pleasant musk-like odour, which is supposed to be derived from the squid (‘sepia moschata’) on which the animal feeds,” the “horny beaks” of which “are often found imbedded in the ma es.” (Pereira.) It has a smell resembling that of dried cow-dung.” (Redwood, ‘Gray’s Supplement,’ 1857, p. 606.) [41] Sp. gr ·780 to ·896—Brande; ·908 to ·920—Pereira. Pur. From the high price of genuine ambergris it is very frequently, if not nearly always, adulterated. When quite pure and of the best quality, it is—1. Nearly wholly soluble in hot alcohol and ether, and yields about 85% of ambreine:—2. It almost wholly volatilises at a moderate heat, and when burnt leaves no notable quantity of ashes; a little of it exposed in a silver spoon melts without bubble or scum; and on the heated point of a knife it is rapidly and entirely di ipated:—3. It is easily punctured with a heated needle, and on withdrawing it, not only should the odour be immediately evolved, but the needle should come out clean, without anything adhering to it (Normandy):—4. The Chinese are said to try its genuinene by scraping it fine upon the top of boiling tea. “It should di olve (melt) and diffuse itself generally.” Black or white is bad. The smooth and uniform is generally factitious. [42] [42] Ure’s ‘Dict. of A., M. & M.,’ 5th Ed., i, 128. Uses, . It is highly prized for its odour, which is found greatly to improve and exalt that of other substances; hence its extensive use in perfumery. In medicine it was formerly given as an aphrodisiac, in doses of 3 to 10 gr. “A grain or two, when rubbed down with sugar, and added to a hogshead of claret, is very perceptible in the wine, and gives it a flavour, by some considered as an improvement.” (Brande.)