Ambergris, amber-gres, an ash colored, inflammable sort of wax. The name signifies gray amber. It is found in lumps of from an ounce to 200 pounds in weight, floating on the sea, especially in the vicinity of the Bahama Islands or other localities frequented by sperm whales. It is also obtained from the intestines of the sperm whale. It is a secretion formed in the alimentary canal, and is derived from the fat of the cuttlefish on which this whale customarily feeds. The floating masses are supposed to have escaped from the bodies of dead whales. Ambergris is prized as a perfume. It is prepared by dissolving in alcohol. Pure ambergris is worth about $2 an ounce. See WHALE.