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-   -   December 22, 2006: Ambergris (http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=12872)

Undertoad 12-22-2006 10:01 AM
December 22, 2006: Ambergris
 
http://cellar.org/2006/whalevomit.jpg

Katkeeper sends along this item which was highlighted in a NY Times story. What the lady there is holding is, apparently, ambergris -- a waxy substance whales will occasionally puke up or crap out, or which is found in their gut when they're killed.

Ms. Ferreira, shown above, was given this chunk by her sister. They are not sure that it is actually Ambergris. If it is, the blob will be worth $18,000, the story suggests. It's valuable because it's used in some of the most expensive product on the earth by weight: perfume. Apparently it can "fix" the scent of a perfume, allowing it to linger longer instead of evaporating.

Scientists think whales produce this stuff when they swallow sharp objects. They coat the objects with it so their insides aren't hurt. Like grit to an oyster's pearl, I suppose.

Flint 12-22-2006 10:03 AM
So, somewhere, evil perfume scientists are feeding razor blades to caged whales?

Sundae 12-22-2006 10:10 AM
Her sister hates her. It's years of hardened pickings from the underside of her couch.

LabRat 12-22-2006 10:13 AM
Blech SG. Seriously, ugh.

bigw00dy 12-22-2006 10:26 AM
I can envision an expensive game of Fear Factor.

Shawnee123 12-22-2006 10:37 AM
I think the aliens came early.

wolf 12-22-2006 10:39 AM
That's just snot. Hey, Waitaminnit ... IT'S FRIDAY. Although an animal may be peripherally involved, that is neither cute, nor furry, nor both.

Undertoad 12-22-2006 10:41 AM
Aw crap! The holiday season threw me off.

CaliforniaMama 12-22-2006 10:43 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolf
That's just snot. Hey, Waitaminnit ... IT'S FRIDAY. Although an animal may be peripherally involved, that is neither cute, nor furry, nor both.
Nor edible . . . I hope.

Griff 12-22-2006 10:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Undertoad
Aw crap! The holiday season threw me off.
That's strike one.

astearns 12-22-2006 01:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliforniaMama
Nor edible . . . I hope.
"Eggs and ambergris was Charles II's favorite dish," observed Martin...

from p94 of Patrick O'Brien's "The Far Side of the World" which I happened to be reading this morning.

Elspode 12-22-2006 01:19 PM
Ick. Further proof that being royalty will make you whacky.

footfootfoot 12-22-2006 01:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sundae Girl
Her sister hates her. It's years of hardened pickings from the underside of her couch.
Why else would she be holding it at arms length?

xoxoxoBruce 12-22-2006 03:47 PM
Quote:
“If it really does have value, I’m not silly, of course I’d want to sell it,” Ms. Ferreira said as she looked out past her lace curtains and picket fence at the whitecaps on the bay. “This could be my retirement.”
Quote:
But endangered species legislation has made buying or selling the stuff illegal since the 1970s; a couple who found a large lump of ambergris valued at almost $300,000 on an Australian beach in January has had legal problems selling it.
Well, it seems to me, if it's illegal to sell, it could be her retirement.......at least free room and board. :mg:

CaliforniaMama 12-23-2006 01:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by astearns
"Eggs and ambergris was Charles II's favorite dish," observed Martin...

from p94 of Patrick O'Brien's "The Far Side of the World" which I happened to be reading this morning.
:vomit:


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