Whale shit--or, dung, if you prefer--is called amergris...
For once, I shall qoute wiki because this sentence reads nicely:
Ambergris occurs as a biliary secretion of the intestines of the sperm whale, and can be found floating upon the sea, or in the sand near the coast.
Similarly,
Republics occur as a biliary secretion of Karl Rove's diseased sphincter, and can be found floating upon the stage in South Carolina, or in the sand near the coast.
But, back to something more important than the debate:
Many aspects of ambergris remain a mystery. Why is ambergris more commonly found in the southern hemisphere, though sperm whales range all the world's seas? Why is it only sperm whales—and particularly male sperm whales—that create it? How did ancient Middle Easterners decide to start using it for medicine, or decide that "eau de whale" would be a compelling fragrance?
... the population is slowly recovering, and even though most findings turn out to be rocks or wax or other ocean detritus, beachcombers and fishermen continue to scour the sands and waves in hope of stumbling across a weathered chunk of this sea gold.
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