From 1700 for two centuries, thousands of sperm whales were killed and the oil in their heads called spermaceti was used to make candles. |
The most striking morphological feature is the huge spermaceti organ in the head, filled with up to 1900 litres of waxy oil. |
Atop the whale's skull is positioned a large complex of organs filled with a liquid mixture of fats and waxes called spermaceti. |
Important ester waxes include carnauba wax, lanolin, beeswax, and spermaceti. |
It was then that spermaceti, which is made from the oil of the sperm whale came on the scene. |
Still, whale-related products remained in high demand, especially the fine oil derived from spermaceti. |