^^aP- 12.] AMBER. 



403 



that has the finest odourj^" but neither this nor the wax-coloured 

 amber is held in very high esteem. The red amber is more 

 highly valued ; and still more so, when it is transparent, with- 

 out presenting too brilliant and igneous an appearance. For 

 amber to be of high quality, should present a brightness like 

 that of fire, but not fiakes resembling those of flame. The 

 most highly esteemed amber is that known as the " Falernian " 

 trom Its resemblance to the colour of Falernian wine • it is 

 periectly transparent, and has a softened, transparent, brightness. 

 Other kinds, again, are valued for their mellowed tints, like the 

 colour of boiled honey in appearance. It ought to be known, 

 however, that any colour can be imparted to amber that may 

 be desired. It being sometimes stained with kid^suet and root 

 ot alkanet ; indeed, at the present day, amber is dyed purple 

 even. When a vivifying heat has been imparted to it by 

 rubbing it between the fingers, amber will attract chaff, dried 

 leaves, and thm bark, just in the same way that the magnet 

 attracts iron. Pieces of amber, steeped in oil, burn with a more 

 brilliant and more lasting flame than pith of flax.^^ 



So highly valued is this as an object of luxury, that a very 

 diminutive human effigy, made of amber, has been known to sell 

 at a higher price than living men even, in stout and vigorous 

 health. This single ground for censure, however, is far from 

 being sufficient ; in Corinthian objects of vertu, it is the copper 

 that recommends them, combined with silver and gold • and in 

 embossed works it is the skill and genius of the artist that 

 IS so highly esteemed. We have already said what it is that 

 recommends vessels of murrhine and of crystal ; pearls, too, are 

 of use for wearing upon the head, and gems upon the fingers. 

 In tne case of all other luxuries, in fact, it is either a spirit of 

 ostentation or some utility that has been discovered in them 

 that pleads so strongly in their behalf; but in that of amber 

 we have solely the consciousness that we are enjoying a luxury 

 and nothing more. Domitius l^ero, among the other portend 

 tous extravagances of his life, bestowed this name upon th^ 

 ringlets of his wife Poppaea, and, in certain verses of his, he has 



9^ mich is perceptible on its being rubbed : in some cases the odour of 

 amber IS very fine, in others it is perfectly fetid; though in the latter 

 case, as Ajasson remarks, It js doubtful whether it maybe considered to 

 be genuine amber. ^ oi^ncu w 



^^ " Lini." Salmasius suggests " pini," ''pith of pine." 



