Had the abominable scent permitted, enquiry had been made into that strange composure of the head, and hillock of flesh about it. Since the Work-men affirmed, they met with _Sperma-Ceti_ before they came to the bone, and the head yet preserved, seems to confirm the same. The Sphincters inserving unto the Fistula or spout, might have been examined, since they are so notably contrived in other cetaceous Animals; as also the Larynx or Throtle, whether answerable unto that of Dolphins and Porposes in the strange composure and figure which it maketh. What figure the stomack maintained in this Animal of one jaw of teeth, since in Porposes, which abound in both, the ventricle is trebly divided, and since in that formerly taken nothing was found but Weeds and a Loligo. The heart, lungs, and kidneys had not escaped; wherein are remarkable differences from Animals of the land, likewise what humor the bladder contained, but especially the seminal parts, which might have determined the difference of that humour; from this which beareth its name.
In vain it was to rake for Ambergreece in the panch of this _Leviathan_, as _Greenland_ discoverers, and attests of experience dictate, that they sometimes swallow great lumps thereof in the Sea; insufferable fetour denying that enquiry. And yet if, as _Paracelsus_ encourageth, Ordure makes the best Musk, and from the most fetid substances may be drawn the most odoriferous Essences; all that had not _Vespasians_ Nose [SN: Cui dulcis odor lucri ex re qualibet.], might boldly swear, here was a subject fit for such extractions.
Compendiously of sundry Tenents concerning other Animals, which examined, prove either false or dubious.
1. And first from great Antiquity, and before the Melody of _Syrens_, the Musical note of Swans hath been commended, and that they sing most sweetly before their death. For thus we read in _Plato_, that from the opinion of _Metempsuchosis_, or transmigration of the souls of men into the bodies of beasts most sutable unto their humane condition, after his death, _Orpheus_ the Musician became a Swan. Thus was it the bird of _Apollo_ the god of Musick by the _Greeks_; and an Hieroglyphick of musick among the _Egyptians_, from whom the _Greeks_ derived the conception; hath been the affirmation of many Latines, and hath not wanted assertors almost from every Nation.