CHAPTER XXVI

Of Sperma-Ceti, and the Sperma-Ceti Whale.

What Sperma-Ceti is, men might justly doubt, since the learned _Hofmannus_ in his work of Thirty years, [SN: De medicamentis officin.] saith plainly, _Nescio quid sit_. And therefore need not wonder at the variety of opinions; while some conceived it to be _flos maris_, and many, a bituminous substance floating upon the sea.

That it was not the spawn of the Whale, according to vulgar conceit, or nominal appellation Phylosophers have always doubted, not easily conceiving the Seminal humour of Animals, should be inflamable; or of a floating nature.

That it proceedeth from a Whale, beside the relation of _Clusius_ and other learned observers, was indubitably determined, not many years since by a Sperma-Ceti Whale, cast on our coast of _Norfolk_ [SN: _Near_ Wells.]. Which, to lead on further inquiry, we cannot omit to inform. It contained no less then sixty foot in length, the head somewhat peculiar, with a large prominency over the mouth; teeth only in the lower Jaw, received into fleshly sockets in the upper. The Weight of the largest about two pound: No gristly substances in the mouth, commonly called Whale-bones; Only two short finns seated forwardly on the back; the eyes but small, the pizell large, and prominent. A lesser Whale of this kind above twenty years ago, was cast upon the same shore. [SN: _Near_ Hunstanton.]

The discription of this Whale seems omitted by _Gesner_, _Rondeletius_, and the first Editions of _Aldrovandus_; but describeth the latin impression of _Pareus_, in the Exoticks of _Clusius_, and the natural history of _Nirembergius_; but more amply in Icons and figures of _Johnstonus_.

Mariners (who are not the best Nomenclators) called it a _Jubartas_, or rather _Gibbartas_. Of the same appellation we meet with one in _Rondeletius_, called by the _French_ Gibbar, from its round and Gibbous back. The name _Gibbarta_ we find also given unto one kind of _Greenland_ Whales: But this of ours seemed not to answer the Whale of that denomination; but was more agreeable unto the _Trumpa_ or Sperma-Ceti Whale: according to the account of our _Greenland_ describers in _Purchas_. And maketh the third among the eight remarkable Whales of that Coast.

Out of the head of this Whale, having been dead divers days, and under putrifaction, flowed streams of oyl and Sperma-Ceti; which was carefully taken up and preserved by the Coasters. But upon breaking up, the Magazin of Sperma-Ceti, was found in the head lying in folds and courses, in the bigness of goose eggs, encompassed with large flakie substances, as large as a mans head, in form of hony-combs, very white and full of oyl.

Some resemblance or trace hereof there seems to be in the _Physiter_ or _Capidolio_ of _Rondeletius_; while he delivers, that a fatness more liquid then oyl, runs from the brain of that animal; which being out, the Reliques are like the scales of _Sardinos_ pressed into a mass; which melting with heat, are again concreted by cold. And this many conceive to have been the fish which swallowed _Jonas_. Although for the largeness of the mouth, and frequency in those seas, it may possibly be the _Lamia_.

Some part of the Sperma-Ceti found on the shore was pure, and needed little depuration; a great part mixed with fetid oyl, needing good preparation, and frequent expression, to bring it to a flakie consistency. And not only the head, but other parts contained it. For the carnous parts being roasted, the oyl dropped out, an axungious and thicker parts subsiding; the oyl it self contained also much in it, and still after many years some is obtained from it.

_Greenland_ Enquirers seldom meet with a Whale of this kind: and therefore it is but a contingent Commodity, not reparable from any other. It flameth white and candent like Camphire, but dissolveth not in _aqua fortis_, like it. Some lumps containing about two ounces, kept ever since in water, afford a fresh and flosculous smell. Well prepared and separated from the oyl, it is of a substance unlikely to decay, and may out last the oyl required in the Composition of _Mathiolus_.

Of the large quantity of oyl, what first came forth by expression from the Sperma-Ceti, grew very white and clear, like that of Almonds or Ben. What came by decoction was red. It was found to spend much in the vessels which contained it: It freezeth or coagulateth quickly with cold, and the newer soonest. It seems different from the oyl of any other animal, and very much frustrated the expectation of our soap-boylers, as not incorporating or mingling with their lyes. But it mixeth well with painting Colours, though hardly drieth at all. Combers of wooll made use hereof, and Country people for cuts, aches and hard tumors. It may prove of good Medical use; and serve for a ground in compounded oyls and Balsams. Distilled, it affords a strong oyl, with a quick and piercing water. Upon Evaporation it gives a balsame, which is better performed with Turpentine distilled with Sperma-Ceti.

Had the abominable scent permitted, enquiry had been made into that strange composure of the head, and hillock of flesh about it. Since the Work-men affirmed, they met with _Sperma-Ceti_ before they came to the bone, and the head yet preserved, seems to confirm the same. The Sphincters inserving unto the Fistula or spout, might have been examined, since they are so notably contrived in other cetaceous Animals; as also the Larynx or Throtle, whether answerable unto that of Dolphins and Porposes in the strange composure and figure which it maketh. What figure the stomack maintained in this Animal of one jaw of teeth, since in Porposes, which abound in both, the ventricle is trebly divided, and since in that formerly taken nothing was found but Weeds and a Loligo. The heart, lungs, and kidneys had not escaped; wherein are remarkable differences from Animals of the land, likewise what humor the bladder contained, but especially the seminal parts, which might have determined the difference of that humour; from this which beareth its name.

In vain it was to rake for Ambergreece in the panch of this _Leviathan_, as _Greenland_ discoverers, and attests of experience dictate, that they sometimes swallow great lumps thereof in the Sea; insufferable fetour denying that enquiry. And yet if, as _Paracelsus_ encourageth, Ordure makes the best Musk, and from the most fetid substances may be drawn the most odoriferous Essences; all that had not _Vespasians_ Nose [SN: Cui dulcis odor lucri ex re qualibet.], might boldly swear, here was a subject fit for such extractions.