Amber and the Amber Fisheries. 465 



including insects, reptiles, plants, leaves, grains, shells, 

 fruit, etc. 



The density of natural amber varies from rex) to ri r. 

 Its analysis, according to Schrotter, is : Carbon, 78*82 ; 

 hydrogen, 10-23 ; oxygen, icvcp. 



Amber is harder than most resins, and is susceptible of 

 a good polish. It was known to the ancients, and called 

 "electrum," on account of its electrical susceptibility; it 

 was also engraved and used by the ancients for seals. 



It occurs abundantly on the Prussian coast of the 

 Baltic, from Dantzic to Memel. It is also found on the 

 coast of Denmark and Sweden ; in Gallicia, Poland, 

 Moravia, the Ural ; Switzerland, near Basle ; France, near 

 Paris ; near London ; in various parts of Asia, and in the 

 greensand of New Jersey ; also in Japan. It is chiefly 

 obtained from Prussia, and is not very abundant in other 

 countries. 



With it are found fragments of lignite, and it frequently 

 contains insects of extinct species embedded in its sub- 

 stance ; it is also marked with the impression of branches 

 and bark. It is sometimes thrown up in great quantities 

 after storms. It contains a volatile oil, two resins (soluble 

 in alcohol and ether), succinic a'cid, and an insoluble bitu- 

 minous substance. 



For ages amber has been valued for ornamental pur- 

 poses, such as necklaces, bracelets, brooches, crosses, ear- 

 drops, silver links, and the like. It was also formerly much 

 used for inlaying cabinets and ladies' jewel-cases, and a 

 large picture frame inlaid with it was shown at the Naples 

 Maritime Exhibition. The cloudy or milk-white amber, 

 not that which is clear, is held in the highest esteem. The 

 light-green variety, and that which is of one perfectly 

 uniform colour throughout, are exceptions to this rule. 



2 H 



