December 22, 2006: Ambergris

Undertoad · 12-22-2006, 10:01 AM

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.

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.

12-22-2006, 10:01 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	December 22, 2006: Ambergris 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.

12-22-2006, 10:03 AM	#2
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	So, somewhere, evil perfume scientists are feeding razor blades to caged whales? __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

12-22-2006, 10:10 AM	#3
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Her sister hates her. It's years of hardened pickings from the underside of her couch. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

12-22-2006, 10:13 AM	#4
LabRat twatfaced two legged bumhole Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,143	Blech SG. Seriously, ugh. __________________ Strength does not come from how much weight you can lift, or how many miles you can run. It comes from knowing that you set a goal, and rose to the challenge. Strength comes from within.

12-22-2006, 10:26 AM	#5
bigw00dy I'm here once in a while Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 458	I can envision an expensive game of Fear Factor. __________________ flickr®

12-22-2006, 10:37 AM	#6
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I think the aliens came early. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

12-22-2006, 10:39 AM	#7
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	That's just snot. Hey, Waitaminnit ... IT'S FRIDAY. Although an animal may be peripherally involved, that is neither cute, nor furry, nor both. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-22-2006, 10:41 AM	#8
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Aw crap! The holiday season threw me off.

12-22-2006, 01:19 PM	#12
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Ick. Further proof that being royalty will make you whacky. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

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