UNUSUAL FIND
A large quantity of a substance believed to be ambergris was found on the New Plymouth foreshore by a New Plymouth resident, Mr A. E. Mason, recentlv.
Mr Mason discovered the substance clear of the water amongst some rocks near the New Plymouth railway station. It is about a foot long and about five inches deep. He estimated its weight at about 2Jlb, and described it as looking like a piece of mutton fat. The chief characteristics of the find were its greasiness and its peculiar odour, riot putrescent and not fishy, but rather musty.
At the 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 6mall lots, so as not to ruin prices. Ambergris is a fatty 6ubstance of ash-grey colour, veined with yellow or red, like marble. It is found floating in lumps on the sea or east up on the 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
Otago Daily Times, Issue 22268, 22 May 1934, Page 13
Word Count
200UNUSUAL FIND Otago Daily Times, Issue 22268, 22 May 1934, Page 13
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