138 Dr. A. Ure on Amber, Anime, and Copal, 



Chemical Observations on Amber, Anime, and Copal, above referred to. * 



By Andrew Ure, M.D.,F.R.S. 



Amber, specific gravity 1*080. 



Anime r054. 



Copal 1071. 



Amber hardly if at all softens when heated in a glass matrass 

 over the flame of a spirit-lamp, but shrinks, darkens in colour, and 

 exhales white fumes of an ambrosiacal odour, which, when condensed 

 in a receiver, are found to consist of succinic acid and oil. It does 

 not dissolve in alcohol, or in caoutchoucine, but is rendered friable 

 by infusion for some time in a mixture of these two liquids. 



Anime is, like amber, remarkable for the number of insects im- 

 bedded in it. When heated in a glass retort over a spirit flame it 

 softens, and by skilful management of the heat it may be fused 

 without burning. In this state it exhales copious vapours of an 

 ambrosiacal odour, which being condensed in water and tested, af- 

 ford evident traces of succinic acid. Anime is very transparent ; 

 its colour is a clear brown with a yellow tinge. Alcohol does not 

 act upon it, and caoutchoucine very slightly ; but a mixture of the 

 two in equal parts, even in the cold, speedily penetrates its sub- 

 stance and converts it into a soft gelatinous matter, Uke bright and 

 somewhat thin calves'-feet jelly. By this means the impasted in- 

 sects may be readily extracted entire. But after long digestion in 

 the above compound solvent, it does not melt down into a liquid 

 varnish, even though heat be applied. 



Copal is distinguishable from anime by a faint opalescence, and 

 a pale greenish yellow tinge. Caoutchoucine acts very feebly upon 

 it as well as alcohol ; but a mixture of the two speedily dissolves it 

 in the cold into a rich homogeneous varnish. When heated in a 

 glass retort over a spirit-flame it readily melts into a very fluid con- 

 sistence, and when further urged by the heat it boils with little ex- 

 plosions ; a viscid oily matter distils over. After continuing the 

 process for some time the liquid copal begins to blacken ; but it af- 

 fords no succinic acid on testing the distilled fluid with the great- 

 est care. 



