Amber and the Amber Fisheries. 475 



The late Mr. D. Alexander's famous piece, said to be 

 the largest in England, is believed to have been picked up 

 in the same locality. Her Majesty the Queen has, I 

 believe, a very fine large piece of amber. 



There are many imitations of this beautiful resin, but 

 none are so hard and enduring as the genuine article. The 

 uninformed are, however, frequently deceived and taken in 

 by pieces of anime, copal, or gum kowrie. 



Mr. Consul Hertslet, in his report on the trade of 

 Konigsberg for 1870, stated that the production of amber 

 was less than in former years 1415 cwt, against 1710 cwt. 

 in 1869; and the war annihilated the trade with France 

 for raw and manufactured amber. A demand came un- 

 expectedly from China, but soon dropped again. 



The dredging at Schwarzort brought 740 cwt. ; the 

 diving at Brusterort, 300 cwt. ; the diggings in Samland, 

 55 cwt; the fishing, etc., along the coast, 320 cwt; total, 

 1415 cwt., of the estimated total value of 500,000 rix 

 thalers. 



The Prussian Amber Company Limited, Konigsberg, 

 employs 2350 persons and 19 steam-engines in this trade, 

 and sold in 1871 amber, obtained by divers and dredging 

 on the coasts of the Baltic, to the value of 53,000. A 

 diploma of honour was awarded at the Vienna Inter- 

 national Exhibition to this company for the extent of its 

 trade and the excellence of its amber. 



The extent of the amber-fields in Germany may be 

 seen from the fact that 22 dredges, 2 tug-boats, 100 barges, 

 and 1000 labourers are engaged in the industry. The area 

 of the amber-field is extensive, and the Government derive 

 from it a yearly rent of 72,200 thalers. 



The trade, which had languished in 1868 and 1869, 

 regained much activity in 1871. England, France, and 



