sea. In size it varies from the size of a pea to 

 lumps as large as an orange. When first dug 

 up it is usually of a pale yellow color, but this 

 becomes darker on exposure. The manufacture 

 of commercial amber is a government monopoly 

 in Prussia. The pieces are all melted down at a 

 temperature of about 550 F., and then after 

 purification it is cast into slabs about % inch 

 to 1% inches thick and four inches to eight 

 inches long, in which form it is sold to dealers. 

 There are two qualities, opaque and transpar- 

 ent, the opaque being the tougher. The cost 

 varies considerably, the inferior kinds being 

 sold for $2.00 per pound, and the finest speci- 

 mens cost up to $60.00 per pound. 



By far the largest quantity of amber used for 

 ordinary pipes is imitation amber. The manu- 

 facture of this is a trade secret. It is so good 

 and fulfills its purpose so well that only experts 

 can distinguish it from genuine amber. There 

 are many substitutes for amber. 



Good vulcanite, except for the matter of ap- 

 pearance is little inferior to amber as mouth- 

 piece material. Cut vulcanite is cool and 

 smooth, but moulded vulcanite is liable to be 

 rough to the lips and should be avoided. Vul- 

 canite mouthpieces are usually sold already 

 finished direct to the pipe makers. 



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