Ambergris is a substance secreted by the sperm-whale and is found in the form of rounded masses made up of concentric layers and weighing up to a hundred kilograms. It has a waxy consistency and gives a sweet odour when rubbed. It varies from ash grey to black in colour and its density is less than that of water. Ambergris should not be confused with yellow amber (succinite) which is a mineral resin and falls in heading 25.30. Castoreum is a resinous substance, brown, reddish or yellowish, with a bitter flavour and a pungent smell. It is secreted by beavers and is usually presented in the pouches (generally joined at their ends) in which it is formed. These pouches are often pleated and range in length from 5 to 10 cm. Civet is produced by the civet cat and is a golden brown or brown resinous substance of pasty and oily consistency, with a very strong odour which closely resembles natural musk. Musk, secreted by a kind of deer, is normally enclosed in pouches (flat and hairless on one side and convex and covered with whitish hair on the other) in which it is formed. The secretion is dark brown and has a strong smell. The musk in question should not be confused with artificial musk (musk xylene, musk ambrette, etc.) included in Chapter 29. Cantharides are beetles used primarily for their vesicant or counter-irritant properties. They are usually presented in dried or powdered form. The heading also includes :(1) Animal glands and other animal organs used in the preparation of organo-therapeutic products and unfit, by reason of their nature or of the manner in which they are put up, for human consumption (pancreas, testes, ovaries, gall bags, thyroid glands, pituitary glands, etc.), fresh, chilled or frozen, or otherwise provisionally preserved for the purposes of transport or storage (e.g., in glycerol, acetone or alcohol). When dried or in the form of extract, these products are excluded (heading 30.01). (See however Note 1 (a) to this Chapter as regards edible products.) (2) Bile, whether or not dried. (Bile extract is excluded - heading 30.01). The heading also excludes snake or bee venom put up in dried flakes in sealed ampoules (heading 30.01).
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