(538)
This Author reckons up 18 Opinions concerning Ambergreese, and having examined every one of them, he embraces that, which holds, That it is the Dung of a Bird, (called in the Madagascar Tongue Aschibobuch:) of which he gives the description out of Odarotus Barbosa and others; who affirm it to be of the bigness of a Goose, curiously feather'd, with a big head, well tufted. These Birds being found in great numbers in Madagascar, the Maldives, and other parts of East-Indies, are affirmed by Authors to flock together in great numbers, as Cranes; and frequenting high Cliffs near the Sea-side, and there voiding their Excrement, the Sea washes thence, if it fall not of it self, into it.
There is another opinion among the said 18, for which the Author hath a good inclination, but yet dares not embrace it; viz. that 'tis the Excrement of a certain kind of Whales. If this Amber were but in those other places, where there is good store of such Whales, it seems that would make the Author relinquish the former Opinion.
This puts us in mind of a Relation, to be met with in Purchas, which, giving an Account of a certain Commission for a Gentleman to go Factor into Greenland for the killing of Whales and Morses, takes notice, among other Particulars, of a sort of Whale, called Trompa, having but one Trunk on his head, whereas the Sarda, another kind of Whales, hath two. This Trompa (saith that Author) hath teeth of a span long, and as thick as a mans Wrist, but no Finns. In his Head is the Sperma Ceti, saith he farther, and in his Entrails, the Ambergreese, being in shape and colour like Cowes-dang. Express order was given in the said Commission, that the person deputed should himself be present at the opening of this sort of Whale, and cause the residue of the said Entrails to be put in small Casks, and bring them along with him into England.
This will give occasion to increase our Inquires for Greenland, which perhaps may be inserted in the Book of the next Month.
