Chapter 92: Moby Dick

Ishmael tells us that ambergris is actually used for perfume. Ironically whales are thought to be very bad smelling especially those of the sort they found the ambergris in. However Ishmael compares a fluking whale to giving off the same smell as beautiful woman. This comparison is very appropriate because Ishmael and the rest of the crew have given up their land life and woman for whales, at least they smell nice.