I V O 



399 



J U P 



I. ..TV. 



I . . * . 



kind in the fabrication of artificial teeth. Artists, at- 

 tracted by the beauty of this substance, have endea- 

 voured to apply it to purposes for which it does not 

 seem adapted ; as in the construction of wind instru- 

 ments. Ivor} flutes, for example, are inferior to those 

 made of wood; but whether this arises from the 

 proper proportions of the materials not being yet as- 

 certained, or whether the suitable vibration of the in- 

 strument or the included column of air, be not pro- 

 duced, is probably not determined. The ancient* 

 employed ivory more extensively in some respects than 

 the modems. It was formed into large statues by them, 

 and we read in Scripture of the ivory throne of Solo- 

 mon, ornamented with gold. The modern kings of 

 Denmark, indeed, are said to have a magnificent throne, 

 constructed of the teeth of the narwhal. Heyne ex- 

 press** hi* surprise, that ivory should be known so much 

 earlier among the Greeks than the Jews; but it must 

 be admitted, that nations are familiarly acquainted with 

 numberless substances which never become the subject 

 of written descriptions. Medicinal virtues are ascribed 

 by the Japanese, to the tooth of the narwhal; they believe 

 that it contribute* 'to elevate the spirits ; to strengthen 

 the memory ; nay, that it will contribute to the (iro- 

 loogation of life. Hence it bears a high price among 

 them, and the sale of a single tooth has been known to 

 realize a fortune to the owner. No such properties are 

 a*cribed to ivory in Europe ; where, besides its use in 

 the arts, we believe the only purpose to which it is ap- 

 plied, is making a weak glue I'rom the shavings. The 

 !i were wont to procure whole cargoes of the teeth 

 of the narwhal in Europe, for export to Japan, while 

 their commercial relations subsisted with that island. 



Ivory is wrought with saws, files, and varioo* edgetouN: 

 the former mut be narrow in the plate, and frequently 

 moistened with water to make them operate freely. Some 

 artist* are prejudiced against oil, from conceiving that 

 !!ows the ivory ; but if it is immediately to be re- 

 duced, oil can have no effect, as.it does not penetrate 

 the substance. It is affirmed, that the moat de- 

 licate sawing should be performed under water j but 

 this cannot be a universal rule, as we have observed 

 that the imple contact of that clement makes it warp, 

 if thin. Ivory is polished with pumice stone and tri- 

 poli. It takes a very high polish with chalk and wa- 

 ter, or oil, applied with a piece of leather, and after- 

 wards rubbed hard with the latter substance when dry. 

 The finest ivory is susceptible of the highest polish ; 

 and the artist never should forget, that nothing conduces 

 so much to the beauty of his work as the polish of the 

 materials. There is so ffrtt a difference in the quality 

 of ivory, however, that piece* may be seen which scarce- 

 ly can be recognised for the same substance. 



In the rough state, hrory is a very considerable ar- 

 ticle of commerce, both in Asia and Africa, Many 

 African tribes deal in it to a great extent, particularly 

 those dwelling on, what is called by Europeans, the 

 Ivory Com*. It is not explained how the whole mian- 

 tity required is supplied ; but we know that elephants 

 are hunted for the sake of their tuks exclusively , and, 

 probably, the rest are found in the woods where they 

 die, or are destroyed by their natural enemies. Ivory 

 is scarcer at present than it was in the course of the 

 preceding century, either from the interruption of thr 

 CMBnercial relations of several European nations, with 

 die Astatic tnd African continents, or the greater de- 

 vastation committed among the animals producing it. 

 We have no data forcompuling the annual consumption, 



though it certainly is such as to excite our astonishment 

 at the number of elephants that must perish, and the 

 vast extent of country through which such herds must 

 range in seeking subsistence. The largest importation 

 into Britain, with which we are acquainted, was at the 

 rate of 1576' cwt. annually, during the years from 1788 

 to 1799. This is much more than what was wont to 

 be carried to France, where, in 1 784, there were im- 

 ported to Nantz and Bourdeaux, 1 1 79 tusks, besides 

 8164 pounds of ivory. Probably the smaller teeth, 

 under a certain weight, are not denominated tusks ; 

 whence the distinction arises between tusks and 

 ivory. Supposing, that the ivory consisted of tusks, 

 each weighing 40 pounds, there must have been 3940 

 tusks imported annually into Britain. Therefore, to 

 supply Britain for a single year, at least 1970 ele- 

 phants must have been destroyed. But that must be 

 inferior to the real number ; for it is not likely that 

 the tusks weighed 40 pounds each. Labat estimated the 

 quantity imported into France, at 50,000 pounds yearly. 

 Thus, if the quantity consumed in Europe be joined to 

 that of the eastern nations, by all of which ivory is used 

 for various purposes, it will appear quite incredible 

 how the race of elephants is not extirpated. The va- 

 lue of ivory is. much increased of late years. At pre- 

 sent, 1818, the retail price of the finer partb is eight 

 shillings a pound in Edinburgh. 



The following Table shews the quantities of ele- 

 phant* task* sold at the East India Company's sales, for 

 five years, from ISO* to 1808, inclusive : 



Ivory, 

 Jupiter. 



The importation of elephant* teeth into Great Bri- 

 tain, for twelve years, from 1788 to 1799. inclusive, 

 was 18,914 cwt. or at the rate of 1576 cwt. annually. 



See Philotophiccl Transactions, vol. xii. p. 1003. 

 xl. p. 124. for 1799, part i. p. 205. Annales du MIL 

 tnm d'Hiitoire ffaliireUe, vol. viii. p. 113. Bosnian's 

 Detcriplim nf the Coast of Guinea, p. 244. Camper, 

 Oewret. Thunbcrg's Travels. Heyne, Super VeJcrum 

 ebone, eburiteiiqiie tignit ap. nov. Comment. Societ. Got- 

 lineen, torn 1 ; and Milbnrne's Oriental Commerce, vol. i. 

 p. 63. (c) 



IVORY COAST. See GUINEA, vol. x. p. 517. 



.11 IMTER, (ZIP fUtij), the supreme deity, accord- 

 ing to the mythology of the ancient Pagans, and tin- 

 finer and king of god* and men. He was the son of 

 Saturn and Ithea, or Ops ; and was born and educated 

 upon mount Ida, in the island of Crete. The various 

 fabulous accounts of his infancy are too extravagant and 

 absurd to merit any notice. When he grew up, he is 

 said to have deposed his father, Saturn, from the throne, 

 and to have divided his kingdom with his brothers ; to 

 himself he reserved the air and the earth ; Neptune 

 obtained the sea, and Pluto the infernal regions, lit- 

 was afterwards engaged in a war with the Giants, the 

 sons of Titan, and the earth, whom he overthrew with 

 hi* thunder, and confined them under the waters and 

 tains, whence they were unable to escape. He is 

 raid to have conferred such benefits upon mankind, that 

 he became distinguished by the title of Jupiter, and 

 obtained divine honours. He had four wives succes- 



