ABOUT SPERMACETI.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 23 August 1911, Page 7

ABOUT SPERMACETI.

Spermaceti is a perfectly definite chemical body, which can be recognised without chance of error. It is a combination of palmitic acid and a peculiar hydrocarbon called (after the whale) "cetyl," and easily forms pure crystals. Before sperm-whales were hunted it was obtained in relatively small quantity from individual sperm-whales, which by misadventure landed themselves on the coast of France, Spain, or Great Britain, and was eagerly purchased by the apothecaries and perfumers of the great cities of Europe. There are several records of such strange mistakes on the part of the great sperm-whale. The spermaceti is found dissolved in the more ordinary oil (or fat), which occupies a huge region above the bones of the upper jaw and gives the sperm-whale its barrelshaped head. It separates, on cooling from the liquid oil, in crystalline flakes, forming great masses, which are purified by re-melting and cooling. In eariy times the fine, waxy, flaky material thus obtained was known in samples of a few ounces; and sold by apothecaries. It was known that it came from a whale, and was believed to be the seed or sperm of that animal, hence its name "spermaceti." That reminds me that "grey amber" or "ambergris" is also a product of the sperm whale not to be confounded with spermaceti. It is an unhealthy intestinal concretion like bezoar stones, only exceptionally produced. It is found floating in the ocean, and is recognised as coming from the cachalot owing to its being largely made up of the horny beaks of cuttlefish, upon which the cachalot feeds. It is still used in perfumery, and fetches the extraordinary price of four guineas the ounce.