UNUSUAL FIND
A large quatntity of a substance believed to be ,'ambergris was found on tho New Plymouth foreshore by a New Plymouth resident, Mr. A. E. Mason, during the weekend, states tho "Taranaki Herald."
Mr. Maso/n discovered the substance clear of the water amongst somo rocks near the New Plymouth railway station. It is about a foot long and about five inches doep. Ho estimated its weight at about 2jlb, and described it as looking like ;a /piece of mutton' fat. The chief characteristics of the find wero its greasiness and its peculiar odour, not putrescent and not .fishy, but rather musty.
At tho end of 1932 ambergris, finest and grey, was worth 22s a dram. This high price is due to its scarcity, so that even the lump believed to be ambergris would have to be put on the market in small lots, so as not to ruin price?. Ambergris is a fatty substance of ash-grey colour, veined with yellow or red, like marble. It is found floating in lumps on the sea or cast up on tho seashore of many countries. It is believed to be a morbid intestinal secretion of the sperm whale, and is valuable because of its:use in..perfumery.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 114, 16 May 1934, Page 10
Word Count
204UNUSUAL FIND Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 114, 16 May 1934, Page 10
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