AMBERGRIS

noun a substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the indian ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale (physeter macrocephalus), which is believed to be in all cases its true origin. in color it is white, ash-gray, yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. the floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and twenty-five pounds in weight. it is wholly volatilized as a white vapor at 212° fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery.