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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Paper, 'Experiments made upon ambergris for Hans Sloane' by [Cromwell Mortimer?]

Reference number: CLP/11ii/23

Date: 1731

Description

Paper regarding whether or not ambergris is the excrement of a whale, determined by carrying out experiments on the presence of phosphorus in ambergris. It was determined that ambergris is not excrement, as no phosphorus was found. This manuscript is possibly by Cromwell Mortimer, but appears to be in the handwriting of Ambrose Godfrey-Hanckewitz.

Subject: Chemistry

Extract published in Philosophical Transactions as part of paper titled 'Editoris recensio experimentorum circa Ambram gryseam à Domino Joh. Browne, R. S. S. & à Dno. Ambrosio Godofredo Hanckewitz, R. S. S. institutorum, cum D. Neumanni, R. S. S. Experimenti sui vindicatione'.

Read to the Royal Society on 11 March 1731.

Reference number
CLP/11ii/23
Earliest possible date
1731
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
5 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Cromwell Mortimer

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Citation

Cromwell Mortimer, Paper, 'Experiments made upon ambergris for Hans Sloane' by [Cromwell Mortimer?], 1731, CLP/11ii/23, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_11ii_23/paper-experiments-made-upon-ambergris-for-hans-sloane-by-cromwell-mortimer, accessed on 15 October 2024

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_11ii_23/paper-experiments-made-upon-ambergris-for-hans-sloane-by-cromwell-mortimer

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  • Classified Papers

    Dates: 1592-1741

    The 'Classified Papers' of the Royal Society are papers from British and international natural philosophers and scholars categorised according to subject areas.

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